12 Pairs of Black Icons Who Share The Same Birthday: Part 1

Louis Armstrong, born Aug. 4, 1901, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans. Barack Obama, born Aug. 4, 1961, is the 44th and current president of the United States, and the first African-American to hold the office. Joseph Simmons, born Nov. 14, 1964 is known by the stage name Rev. Run or DJ Run. He is one of the founding members of Run-D.M.C., an influential hip-hop group. Condoleezza Rice, born Nov. 14, 1954, is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th U.S. secretary of state. Usain Bolt, born Aug. 21, 1986, is a Jamaican sprinter widely regarded as the fastest person ever. He is the first man to hold both the 100-meter and 200-meter world records since fully automatic time-measurements became mandatory in 1977. Wilt Chamberlain, born Aug. 21, 1936, was an NBA basketball player and holds NBA all-time records in scoring, rebounding and durability categories. He is the only player to score 100 points in a single NBA game. Jay Z was born Dec. 4, 1969. Shawn Corey Carter, known by his stage name Jay Z, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is one of the most financially successful hip-hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. Tyra Banks, born Dec. 4, 1973, is an American television personality, television producer, author, actress and former model. John Legend, born Dec. 28, 1978, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He has won nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Denzel Washington, born Dec. 28, 1954, is an American actor, film director, and film producer. He has received much critical acclaim for his work in film since the 1990s, including his portrayal of real-life figures such as Steve Biko, Malcolm X, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, Melvin B. Tolson, Frank Lucas and Herman Boone. Otis Boykin, born Aug. 29, 1920, invented more than 25 electronic devices. One of his early inventions was an improved electrical resistor for computers, radios, televisions and an assortment of other electronic devices. Other notable inventions include a variable resistor used in guided missiles and small component thick-film resistors for computers. Michael Jackson, born Aug. 29, 1958, was an American singer-songwriter, dancer, businessman, and philanthropist. He was often referred to by the honorific nickname "King of Pop." Nina Simone, born Feb. 21, 1933, was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music. Robert Mugabe, born Feb. 21, 1924, is a Zimbabwean revolutionary and politician who is currently the president of Zimbabwe. Michelle Obama, born Jan. 17, 1964, is an American lawyer and writer, wife of the 44th and current U.S. president, and the first African-American first lady of the United States. Muhammad Ali was born Jan. 17, 1942 and was an activist and a former professional boxer, generally considered among the greatest heavyweights in the sport's history. Lorraine Hansberry was born May 19, 1930 and was an American playwright and writer. She was the first Black woman to write a play performed on Broadway. She lived for 34 years and inspired Nina Simone to write the song, "To Be Young, Gifted and Black." Malcolm X was born May 19, 1925 and was an African-American Muslim minister and a leader of the civil rights movement. Booker T. Washington, born April 5, 1856, was an African-American educator, author, orator, and adviser to presidents of the United States. Between 1890 and 1915, Washington was the dominant leader in the African-American community. Colin Powell, born April 5, 1937, is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. Quvenzhane Wallis, born Aug. 28, 2003, is an American actress and is best known for her leading role as Hushpuppy in the critically acclaimed film "Beasts of the Southern Wild," for which she became the youngest actress ever to receive a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Cécile Kyenge, born Aug. 28, 1964, is a Congolese-born Italian politician and ophthalmologist. She is the Minister for Integration in the current Italian government. Mae C. Jemison, born Oct. 17, 1956, is an American physician and NASA astronaut. She became the first African-American woman to travel in space when she went into orbit aboard the space shuttle Endeavour on Sept. 12, 1992. Ziggy Marley, born Oct. 17, 1968, is a Jamaican musician and leader of the band, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. He is the oldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley.

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