Born on This Day: September 25

Chinese emperor whose long reign expanded the Qing Empire and fostered major cultural projects.

American novelist whose language and narrative structure transformed modern fiction.

French filmmaker whose austere style profoundly influenced world cinema.

Latvian-American painter whose fields of color transformed abstract art.

Russian composer whose symphonies and chamber music became defining works of the twentieth century.

American baseball player and broadcaster whose career became an enduring part of sports culture.

American journalist whose interviews and broadcasting career broke barriers for women in television news.

American actor and producer whose films have influenced modern Hollywood drama and popular culture.