Famous people born on September 6th
September 6 has produced an unusually wide-ranging lineup of innovators and performers, spanning social reform, philosophy, politics, business, and pop culture. The date links pioneering humanitarian work with sharp cultural commentary and enduring achievements in music, acting, and science. From Nobel-recognized activism to genre-defining albums and screen-stopping roles, these birthdays reflect both public influence and creative originality.
Notable highlights
- Jane Addams (1860) - A founder of Hull House whose settlement work helped professionalize social work and expand civic reform in U.S. cities.
- Moses Mendelssohn (1729) - A central figure of the Jewish Enlightenment whose writings championed religious tolerance and modern philosophical engagement.
- Robert M. Pirsig (1928) - Author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, blending narrative travelogue with probing questions about value and "quality".
- Roger Waters (1943) - Co-driving force behind Pink Floyd's conceptual era, shaping rock with ambitious storytelling and sound design.
- Idris Elba (1972) - A versatile actor who moved from TV stardom to major film roles while also maintaining a parallel career as a DJ and producer.
- Rosie Perez (1964) - A dynamic screen presence celebrated for bringing intensity and authenticity to both comedy and drama.
- Jeff Foxworthy (1958) - A defining voice in modern American stand-up whose "You might be a redneck" style became a cultural catchphrase.
- Foxy Brown (1978) - A prominent late-1990s hip-hop star known for a commanding delivery and high-profile collaborations.
- Edward Appleton (1892) - A Nobel Prize-winning physicist whose ionosphere research advanced radio communication and atmospheric science.
On this day
- 1522 - One of Magellan's ships, the Victoria, returns to Spain, completing the first circumnavigation of the Earth.
- 1901 - U.S. President William McKinley is shot in Buffalo, New York, an attack that soon elevates Theodore Roosevelt to the presidency.
- 1965 - India and Pakistan widen hostilities in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, escalating the conflict across multiple fronts.
- 1997 - The funeral of Princess Diana takes place in London, drawing a vast global audience and public outpouring of grief.