| HistoryNet


Today in History: Born on January 16

1504

Pius V, Pope 1566-1572.

1706

Benjamin Franklin, statesman, diplomat, scientist and inventor who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and wrote Poor Richard's Almanac.

1860

Anton Chekhov, Russian playwright and short story writer famous for The Seagull and Three Sisters.

1863

David Lloyd George, British Prime Minister during World War I.

1899

Al Capone, U.S. mobster known as "Scarface Al" who ran most of Chicago and the surrounding area.

1922

Betty White, actress; created memorable characters in TV sitcoms from the 1950s into the 21st century (Life with Elizabeth, Mary Tyler Moore, The Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland) and was a popular guest on TV game shows. At age 88 and a half she became the oldest person ever to host Saturday Night Live (2010).

1942

Muhammad Ali [Cassius Clay], U.S. boxer, "The Greatest," who is the only three-time heavyweight champion..

1964

Michelle Robinson Obama, wife of US President Barack Obama.

Related Stories

  • SUBSCRIPTIONS

    • American History

    • America’s Civil War

    • Aviation History

    • Civil War Times

    • Military History

    • MHQ

    • Vietnam

    • Wild West

    • World War I

  • SECTIONS

    • Today In History

    • Interviews

    • People & Personalities

    • Book Reviews

    • Ask Mr. History

    • Videos

  • TOPICS

    • Civil War

    • Black History

    • Women’s History

    • Vietnam War

    • Art & Literature

    • Military History

  • ABOUT US

    • Subscribe to Our Newsletters

    • What Is Historynet.com?

    • Contact Us

    • Advertise With Us

    • HistoryNet Privacy Policy

    • HistoryNet Terms of Service

    • Work for HistoryNet

    • Cookie Preferences


HistoryNet.com is brought to you by Historynet LLC, the world's largest publisher of history magazines. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 5,000 articles originally published in our various magazines.

© 2021 HistoryNet