June Carter Cash
Musical Monikers
Madonna
Justin Bieber
My Ghost Story
I Survived
Babe Ruth
Johnny Cash
Georgia O'Keefe
I Survived
On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
August 6
Events on This Day
-
1926
87 years ago
Nineteen-year-old Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim the English Channel, completing the journey in 14 hours 31 minutes.
-
1945
68 years ago
U.S. military leader Paul Tibbets pilots the Enola Gay over Hiroshima, Japan, which drops the atomic bomb.
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1996
17 years ago
The fantasy epic A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin is released. The book goes on to become an HBO series starring Peter Dinklage, among others.
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2003
10 years agoArnold Schwarzenegger, star of the Terminator franchise, announces his bid for California governor during a Tonight Show taping.
August 6
Born on This Day
-
Andy Warhol
- In these groups:
- Studio 54 Patrons
- Famous Pop Artists
- Famous Leos
Andy Warhol
Painter, Filmmaker / 1928 - 1987
Illustrator Andy Warhol was one of the most prolific and popular artists of his time, using both avant-garde and highly commercial sensibilities.
Born: August 6, 1928
Birthplace: Oakland, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Occupation: Painter, Filmmaker -
M. Night Shyamalan
- In these groups:
- Eerie Filmmakers
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actors
M. Night Shyamalan
Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter / 1970 -
M. Night Shyamalan is best known for directing The Sixth Sense, which was released in 1999 to wide acclaim, including six Oscar nominations.
1970 | 42 years old
Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter -
Alexander Fleming
- In these groups:
- Famous Scottish People
- Famous Leos
- Famous Biologists
Alexander Fleming
Biologist / 1881 - 1955
Alexander Fleming was a doctor and bacteriologist who discovered penicillin, receiving the Nobel Prize in 1945.
1881 | 73 years old
Biologist -
Lucille Ball
- In these groups:
- Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
- TV Moms: 1950s
- Girl Scouts
Lucille Ball
Television Actress, Comedian / 1911 - 1989
One of America's most beloved comedians, Lucille Ball is particularly known for her iconic TV show I Love Lucy.
Born: August 6, 1911
Birthplace: Jamestown, New York, United States
Occupation: Television Actress, Comedian -
Robert Mitchum
- In these groups:
- Famous Scottish People
- Celebrity Enlistees
- Famous Military Veterans
Robert Mitchum
Film Actor, Songwriter, Singer / 1917 - 1997
A legendary tough guy on and off-screen, Robert Mitchum was one of the most memorable leading men of the twentieth century.
1917 | 79 years old
Film Actor, Songwriter, Singer -
Alfred Tennyson
- In these groups:
- Fantastic Facial Hair
- Famous Leos
- Famous People Named Alfred
Alfred Tennyson
Poet / 1809 - 1892
Alfred, Lord Tennyson was Queen Victoria's poet laureate. His lasting works include "Ulysses," "The Lady of Shalott," and Idylls of the King.1809 | 83 years old
Poet
August 6
Died on This Day
-
John Hughes
- In these groups:
- Famous Irish-Americans
- Famous Aquarians
- Famous Film Directors
John Hughes
Director, Producer, Screenwriter / 1950 - 2009
Film director and screenwriter John Hughes directed a string of hit teen films, including Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink.
Died: August 6, 2009
Age: 59 years old
Place: New York, New York , United States
Occupation: Director, Producer, Screenwriter -
Ibrahim Ferrer
- In these groups:
- Hispanic Musicians and Singers
- Famous Pisceans
- Famous Singers
Ibrahim Ferrer
Singer / 1927 - 2005
Ibrahim Ferrer was a singer and Cuban musician who performed as part of the Grammy Award-winning Buena Vista Social Club.
2005 | 78 years old
Singer -
Diego Velázquez
- In these groups:
- Famous Geminis
- Famous Painters
- Famous Artists
Diego Velázquez
Painter / 1599 - 1660
Diego Velázquez was a renowned Spanish painter and portraitist, and an icon of Western art.
1660 | 61 years old
Painter -
Rick James
- In these groups:
- Soul Train Guests
- Musical Monikers
- Famous Aquarians
Rick James
Singer / 1948 - 2004
African American musician Rick James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and is best known for hits such as "Super Freak", "Mary Jane" and "You and I".
Died: August 6, 2004
Age: 56 years old
Place: Burbank, California , United States
Occupation: Singer -
Robin Cook
- In these groups:
- Famous Scottish People
- Famous Pisceans
- Famous People Born in 1946
Robin Cook
Government Official / 1946 - 2005
Robin Cook was a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Livingston from 1983 until his death.
2005 | 59 years old
Government Official -
Ellen Wilson
- In these groups:
- Influential Women of Washington
- U.S. First Ladies
- Famous Taureans
Ellen Wilson
U.S. First Lady / 1860 - 1914
While her husband Woodrow was president, First Lady Ellen Wilson advocated improved housing conditions for D.C.'s black population.
1914 | 54 years old
U.S. First Lady
Email Updates
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Play Nowprofile name: Andy Warhol profile occupation: Painter, Filmmaker
profile id: 9542296
profile name: M. Night Shyamalan profile occupation: Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter
profile id: 9296894
profile name: Alexander Fleming profile occupation: Biologist
profile id: 9196958
profile name: Lucille Ball profile occupation: Television Actress, Comedian
profile id: 9410558
profile name: Robert Mitchum profile occupation: Film Actor, Songwriter, Singer
profile id: 9504013
profile name: Alfred Tennyson profile occupation: Poet
profile id: 476258
profile name: John Hughes profile occupation: Director, Producer, Screenwriter
profile id: 189357
profile name: Ibrahim Ferrer profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 38179
profile name: Diego Velázquez profile occupation: Painter
profile id: 248967
profile name: Rick James profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 9255974
profile name: Robin Cook profile occupation: Government Official
profile id: 36923
profile name: Ellen Wilson profile occupation: U.S. First Lady
profile id: 9284131
profile name: Gertrude Ederle profile occupation: Professional Swimmer
profile id: 253510
profile name: Paul Tibbets profile occupation: Military Leader
profile id: 20786615
profile name: George R. R. Martin profile occupation: Author
profile id: 9524786
profile name: George Washington profile occupation: U.S. President
profile id: 9536078
profile name: Stevie Wonder profile occupation: Songwriter
profile id: 17121704
profile name: Carl Yastrzemski profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 241110
profile name: Robert Mueller profile occupation: Political Leader
profile id: 39122
profile name: Alan Keyes profile occupation: Diplomat
profile id: 38727
profile name: Arthur J. Goldberg profile occupation: Diplomat
profile id: 5444
profile name: Kurtis Blow profile occupation: Minister
profile id: 23182
profile name: Betsey Johnson profile occupation: Fashion Designer
Your Connections
Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.
Upcoming Birthdays
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Alan Keyes
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous People Named Alan
- Famous Radio Talk Show Hosts
Alan Keyes
Diplomat, Radio Talk Show Host / 1950 -
Diplomat, radio commentator, and politician Alan Keyes was one of the most prominent African American conservatives in the late 20th and the early 21st century.
August 7, 1950
Diplomat -
Arthur J. Goldberg
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Supreme Court Justices
- Famous People Named Arthur
Arthur J. Goldberg
Supreme Court Justice, Diplomat / 1908 - 1990
Arthur J. Goldberg served as secretary of labor (1961–1962), Supreme Court Justice (1962–1965) and ambassador to the United Nations (1965–1968).
August 8, 1908
Diplomat -
Kurtis Blow
- In these groups:
- Soul Train Guests
- Famous Leos
- Famous Rappers
Kurtis Blow
Music Producer, Rapper, Minister / 1959 -
In 1979, Kurtis Blow signed a deal with Mercury Records, making him the first rapper signed by a major label. His first album sold more than 400,000 copies.
August 9, 1959
Minister -
Betsey Johnson
- In these groups:
- Hair Dos and Don'ts
- Breast Cancer Survivors
- Famous Leos
Betsey Johnson
Fashion Designer / 1942 -
Fashion designer Betsey Johnson developed her edgy, offbeat style during the new wave/punk era of the late 1970s.
August 10, 1942
Fashion Designer
Famous Leos
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Paul Anka
- In these groups:
- Famous Celebrity Couples
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
- Famous Leos
Paul Anka
Film Actor, Television Actor, Songwriter, Guitarist, Pianist, Singer / 1941 -
One of the biggest classic pop performers, Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka moved from teen heartthrob to adult artist with a slew of hits.
July 30, 1941
Film Actor, Television Actor, Songwriter, Guitarist, Pianist, Singer -
William Atherton
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actors
- Famous Film Actors
William Atherton
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor / 1947 -
William Atherton is an American actor known for playing heavies in films like Ghostbusters and Die Hard.
July 30, 1947
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor
