Born on This Day: November 20

German scientist whose vacuum experiments advanced physics and atmospheric science.

Swedish author whose fiction brought Scandinavian literature worldwide recognition.

American astronomer whose observations demonstrated the existence of other galaxies and an expanding universe.

South African novelist whose writing confronted apartheid and moral responsibility.

Russian ballerina whose artistry and athleticism transformed twentieth-century dance.

American senator and attorney general whose civil-rights advocacy and anti-poverty campaigns influenced national politics.

American president and senator whose long career has shaped foreign policy, legislation, and contemporary politics.

American actor and advocate whose public career influenced film, celebrity culture, and animal welfare.