Born on This Day: December 31

Flemish anatomist whose direct study of the human body transformed medicine.

Spanish painter whose religious and genre works became major achievements of Baroque art.

French artist whose color and simplified forms transformed modern art.

American general and statesman whose wartime leadership and reconstruction plan reshaped the postwar world.

Canadian-American entrepreneur whose company transformed cosmetics and beauty marketing.

Austrian Holocaust survivor whose documentation helped bring Nazi war criminals to justice.

Welsh actor whose stage and screen performances have profoundly influenced modern acting.

British actor whose performances have influenced international cinema and historical drama.