1948-
John Edwards served in the U.S. Senate from 1998 to 2004. He was the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in the 2004 election, and twice ran for president.
1953-
1919-
Shelby Foote was an American historian and novelist who wrote The Civil War: A Narrative. He was also a significant contributor to the Ken Burns series The Civil War.
1916-2005
John Forsythe was a theater, film and TV actor. He won Golden Globes for playing Blake Carrington in Aaron Spelling’s long-running prime-time drama Dynasty.
1918-2010
Andy Griffith is an actor and singer best known for his 1960s starring role in The Andy Griffith Show. He later returned to TV in the drama Matlock.
1926-2012
Mia Hamm is a former American soccer player who has scored more international goals than any other player, male or female.
1972-
1975-
Michael Jordan is a former American basketball player who led the Bulls to six national championships and earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award five times.
1963-
Charles Kuralt was a multiple Emmy and Peabody Award-winning broadcast journalist who produced the well-loved "On The Road" segments for the CBS Evening News.
1934-1997
Jack Palance was an American actor best known for playing villainous roles in the 1960s and for his award-winning appearance in the film City Slickers.
1919-2006
Walker Percy was a novelist known chiefly for his first novel, The Moviegoer, which explored spiritual emptiness.
1916-1990
James Polk was the 11th president of the United States, known for his territorial expansion of the nation chiefly through the Mexican-American War.
1795-1849
American football player Lawrence Taylor was a member of the New York Giants and is considered one of the best linebackers in the history of the game.
1959-
Thomas Wolfe was a major American novelist of the early 20th century, notable for his first book, 1929's Look Homeward, Angel.
1900-1938