A look at famous folks born between February 22 and 24 … Choices are entirely subjective, so if you’re famous and we missed you, take solice: You’re not on our famous death list, either.
Feb. 23, 1685 — Composer G.F. Handel, whose masterpiece “The Messiah,” with its unforgettable “Hallelujah Chorus.” is a staple of any classical Christmas.
Feb. 24, 1723 — General John Burgoyne, British commander who surrendered to American rebels at the Battle of Saratoga.
Feb. 22, 1732 — George Washington: The man who, God bless him, would not be king.
Feb. 24, 1836 — Celebrated American painter Winslow Homer.
Feb. 23, 1868 — Born three years after the Civil War’s end and Lincoln’s assassination, W.E.B. DuBois pioneered civil rights and wrote eloquently of The Struggle.
Feb. 22, 1874 — The man in black. Not Johnny Cash, but noted baseball umpire Bill Klem.
Feb. 24, 1874 — Hall of Famer Honus Wagner, turn of the century baseball star. 1906 Wagner collectible card is valued at $2.1 million.
Feb. 23, 1889 — Directing either “The Wizard of Oz” or “Gone With the Wind” would be plenty to assure a forever legacy in film making. Victor Fleming directed both.
Feb. 22, 1892 — She said, “Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies. Nobody that matters, that is.” Poet Edna St. Vincent Millay.
Feb. 22, 1896 — He Tarzan, Her Jane: Enid Markey was the first actress cast as Jane (opposite Elmo Lincoln), in a 1918 Tarzan saga.
Feb. 22, 1907 — Sheldon Leonard was Norman Lear before Norman Lear. Big-time TV producer of shows you could watch with your pastor’s kids.
Feb. 22, 1908 –– “Live from New York” … TV announcer Don Pardo. Also, consummate baseball man and huckster, Charlie Finley.
Feb. 23, 1915 –– American aviator Paul Tibbets and the crew of the Enola Gay released the atomic bomb Little Boy into the skies above Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945, altering world history and speeding the end of World War II.
Feb. 22, 1921 — Central African Republic strongman Jean-Bedel Bokassa.
Feb. 22, 1932 — Failed driving instructor and presidential candidate Ted Kennedy.
Feb. 24, 1932 — Actor John “Double Secret Probation” Vernon.
Feb. 22, 1934 –– Play ball! Cincinnati Big Red Machine managerial legend Sparky Anderson.
Feb. 24, 1938 — Nike co-founder Phil Knight.
Feb. 23, 1937 — Nebraska Cornhuskers’ Hall of Fame head football coach Tom Osborne.
Feb. 23, 1940 — Henry’s boy and Jane’s sib, Peter Fonda. Best known for “Easy Rider,” his best work was not as a biker, but as a bee keeper in “Ulee’s Gold.”.
Feb. 24, 1940 — The other heavyweight champion from Louisville, Jimmy Ellis, who labored in the larger-than-life shadow of Muhammad Ali.
Feb. 24, 1942 — Joe Lieberman, Democrat Senator, statesman and vice presidential candidate.
Feb. 22, 1943 — Who’s who? Twin brothers and Hoosier hardwood favorites Tom and Dick Van Arsdale.
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Feb. 23, 1946 — Rusty Young, founding member of pioneering country-rock group Poco.
Feb. 22, 1949 — Formula I Champion driver and airline entrepreneur Niki Lauda: Austria’s best product since the Viennese Waltz.
Feb. 23, 1949 –– Marc Garneau, native of Quebec who became the first Canadian in space in 1984.
Feb. 23, 1951 — NFL star Ed “Too Tall” Jones.
Feb. 23. 1954 — Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.
Feb. 24, 1955 — Steve Jobs, the Apple of Silicon Valley’s eye.
Feb. 24, 1958 — Colorful zydeco mainstay Sammy Kershaw.
Feb. 22, 1962 — Steve Irwin, the late great gator man and patron of nature.
Feb. 23, 1965 — Dell Computer founder Michael Dell.
Feb. 23, 1967 — Steve Stricker, accompished pro golfer and captain of 2020 American Ryder Cup team.
Feb. 22, 1968 — Every list needs a pretty and accomplished woman like actress Jeri Ryan.Feb. 24, 1977 — Most versatile fighter of all-time? Multi-times champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. features in any such discussion.
Feb. 23, 1994 — Child actor Dakota Fanning, all grown up.
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