Born on August 16

A French writer and moralist of the 17th century (1645–1696), Jean de La Bruyère is the author of The Characters, a major work of classical literature. His collection of satirical portraits and moral reflections offers a sharp critique of the society of his time.

Bill Evans (1929-1980) was an American jazz pianist, one of the most influential of the 20th century. His lyrical playing with its impressionistic harmonies and his approach to the trio make him a major figure in modern jazz, notably through his contribution to Miles Davis's album *Kind of Blue*.

Canadian director born in 1954, James Cameron is the creator of iconic films such as Terminator, Titanic, and Avatar. A passionate deep-sea explorer, he dove to the depths of the Mariana Trench in 2012.

Anne L'Huillier is a French-Swedish physicist born in 1958, a pioneer of attosecond physics. She received the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for her work on generating ultra-short pulses of light that make it possible to observe the motion of electrons.

American singer, dancer, and businesswoman born in 1958, Madonna emerged in the 1980s as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Nicknamed the "Queen of Pop," she constantly pushes the boundaries of artistic creation and asserts her independence in a music industry dominated by men.