Born on This Day: February 29

Italian composer whose operas transformed comic theater and remain central to the international repertory.

Irish-American engineer whose submarine designs helped establish practical undersea naval vessels.

American soldier whose Civil War service made him the first Black recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in battle.

American inventor whose punched-card tabulating machines laid foundations for modern data processing and computing.

American sculptor and educator whose work and teaching fostered Black artists during the Harlem Renaissance.

American filmmaker whose dynamic direction influenced war films, crime pictures, and classical Hollywood storytelling.

American singer and television host whose career helped shape popular music and early television variety programming.

American baseball player and executive whose career combined athletic achievement with leadership in professional sports.