Born on This Day: March 4

Italian composer and violinist whose concertos transformed Baroque instrumental music and remain central to the repertory.

Polish-American military leader whose cavalry service aided the American Revolution and shaped its military tradition.

American inventor whose safety hood and traffic signal improvements advanced public safety.

Norwegian-American coach whose strategy and promotion helped shape modern college football.

Ukrainian-American physicist whose work advanced nuclear physics, cosmology, and the Big Bang theory.

American actor whose naturalistic performances helped bring social realism to Hollywood cinema.

British astronomer and broadcaster who introduced generations to astronomy through books and television.

South African singer and activist whose music and anti-apartheid advocacy made her an international cultural figure.