Jane Addams (1860 - 1935) A pioneer social worker in America, sociologist, author and leader in women's suffrage and world peace. Earned a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in helping the inner city poor. She was the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and is recognized as the founder of the social work profession in the United States. Born in Cedarville, IL (136) Anthony Joseph Adducci (1937 - 2006) A pioneer of the medical device industry in Minnesota. He is best known for co-founding Guidant Corp., the company that manufactured the world's first lithium battery powered artificial pacemaker. Born in Chicago, IL (1233) Eddie Albert (1906 - 2005) Born Edward Albert Heimberger. A stage, screen, and television actor whose film credits include Roman Holiday and The Heartbreak Kid. He starred in the television comedy Green Acres and on Falcon Crest. Born in Rock Island, IL (756) Robert Orville Anderson (1917 - 2007) An American businessman and philantrhopist. He founded Atlantic Richfield Oil Co (ARCO) and was the chairman for 20 years. In 1986 he was teh largest individual landowner in the United States. Born in Chicago, IL (398) Michael Ian Black (1971 - ) Born Michael Ian Schwartz. An American comedian, actor, writer and director. He has starred in several TV comedy series including The State, Ed and Stella. Born in Chicago, IL (911) Bonnie Kathleen Blair (1964 - ) Retired American speedskater. One of the top skaters of her time and one of the most decorated athletes in Olympic history. She won five gold medals and one bronze medal. Born in Champaign, IL (400) Tom Bosley (1927 - 2010) Born Thomas Edward Bosley. An American actor, best known for portraying Howard Cunningham on the sitcom Happy Days. Additionally, he appeared on the series Murder, She Wrote and Father Dowling Mysteries. Born in Chicago, IL (1419) Hillary Rodham Clinton (1947 - ) A former United States Secretary of State, U.S. Senator and First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Born in Chicago, IL (139) Miles Davis (1926 - 1991) Born Miles Dewey Davis III. An American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader and composer. Recognized as one of the key figures in the history of jazz. Born in Alton, IL (151) Walt Disney (1901 - 1966) Born Walter Elias Disney. Creator of Mickey Mouse and founder of the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Theme Parks. Born in Chicago, IL (41) Fred Thomas Dubois (1851 - 1930) A controversial American politician who served 2 terms in the U.S. Senate from the state of Idaho. Best known for his opposition to the gold standard and his efforts to disenfranchise Mormon voters. Born in Crawford County, IL (131) Abigail Scott Duniway (1834 - 1915) Born Abigail Jane Scott. An American women's rights advocate, newspaper editor and writer. She was instrumental in gaining voting rights for women. She is also the author of many books including Captain Gray's Company. Born in Groveland, IL (487) George Ferris (1859 - 1896) Born George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. An American engineer. Known for creating the original Ferris wheel. Born in Galesburg, IL (142) Harrison Ford (1942 - ) Actor made famous in the original Star Wars trilogy and as Indiana Jones in the Indiana Jones film series. His career spans 6 decades and includes roles in several blockbusters including The Fugitive, Blade Runner, Air Force One and Clear and Present Danger. Born in Chicago, IL (141) Gloria Foster (1933 - 2001) An American actress, most known for her stage performances both on and off Broadway including her acclaimed roles, in plays In White America and Having Our Say. She won 3 Obie Awards during her career. Born in Chicago, IL (1275) | Arnold Friberg (1913 - 2010) An American illustrator and painter noted for his religious and patriotic works. He is perhaps best known for his 1975 painting The Prayer at Valley Forge, a depiction of George Washington praying at Valley Forge. Born in Winnetka, IL (1413) Dorothy Hamill (1956 - ) A retired American figure skater. She is the 1976 Olympic gold medalist in ladies' singles and the 1976 World Champion. Born in Chicago, IL (70) Black Hawk (1767 - 1838) A war leader and warrior of the Sauk American Indian tribe in what is now the Midwest of the United States. Born in Rock Island, IL (137) Ernest Hemingway (1899 - 1961) An American author and journalist. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. One of his best known novels is "The Old Man and the Sea". Born in Oak Park, IL (143) James "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837 - 1876) A folk character of the American Old West. A scout and U.S. marshall in the Old West. He fought and spied for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Born in Troy Grove, IL (194) Burl Ives (1909 - 1995) Born Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives. An American actor, writer and folk singer. His work included comedies, dramas, and voice work in theater, television, and motion pictures. Born in Hunt City, IL (1041) Fred MacMurray (1908 - 1991) An American actor who appeared in more than 100 movies and a successful television series, My Three Sons, during a career that spanned nearly a half-century, from 1930 to the 1970s. Born in Kankakee, IL (1281) Marlee Matlin (1965 - ) An American actress. She is the only deaf performer to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and at 21 the youngest recipient to win in that category. Born in Morton Grove, IL (145) Bill Murray (1950 - ) Born William James Murray. An American Actor made actor and comedian. Some of his movies include Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, What About Bob? and Groundhog Day. Born in Wilmette, IL (146) Ronald Wilson Reagan (1911 - 2004) The 40th President of the United States serving from 1981-1989. Former Hollywood actor who appeared in 53 films. He was also the Governor of California. Born in Tampico, IL (147) Carl Sandburg (1878 - 1967) An American poet, writer, and editor who won three Pulitzer Prizes; two for his poetry and one for his biography of Abraham Lincoln. Born in Galesburg, IL (148) Shel Silverstein (1930 - 1999) Born Sheldon Allan Silverstein. An American poet, singer-songwriter, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books such as Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree. Born in Chicago, IL (149) Clyde Tombaugh (1906 - 1997) An American astronomer. He is best known for discovering the dwarf-planet Pluto in 1930 but he also discovered hundreds of new variable stars, hundreds of new asteroids and two comets. Born in Streator, IL (193) Robin Williams (1951 - 2014) An American actor and comedian. He is famous for his roles in the television show Mork and Mindy and movies such as Patch Adams, Dead Poets Society, Mrs. Doubtfire, Hook and Night at the Museum. He was also the voice of the genie in Disney's Aladdin. Born in Chicago, IL (150) |
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