Born on March 16

Spanish conquistador (c. 1478–1541), he led the conquest of the Inca Empire in Peru between 1532 and 1533, captured the emperor Atahualpa, and founded Lima in 1535. His expedition transformed the New World and opened South America to Spanish colonization.

17th-century French writer and pioneer of the psychological novel. Author of The Princess of Clèves, a landmark work exploring the inner feelings and intimate conflicts of its characters. A prominent figure in the literary and cultural life of Louis XIV's court.

A pioneering astronomer from Hanover, Caroline Herschel discovered eight comets and helped map the sky alongside her brother William. She was the first woman to receive the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, in 1828.

American statesman (1751–1836), regarded as the "Father of the Constitution" of the United States. Architect of the Bill of Rights and fourth President of the United States, he was one of the foremost theorists of American republicanism.

German physicist (1787-1854) who discovered the fundamental relationship between voltage, current, and electrical resistance. His law, formulated in 1827, became one of the foundational laws of electricity and bears his name.

Rosa Bonheur (1822-1899) was a French painter and sculptor, a major figure in 19th-century animal painting. Famous for her meticulous realism, she was the first female artist to receive the Legion of Honour.

Swedish mathematician, a major figure in complex analysis. Founder of the journal Acta Mathematica, he played an international role in spreading mathematics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Jules Joffrin (1846–1890) was a labor activist and socialist municipal councillor in Paris. A representative of the possibilist current, he embodied reformist socialist engagement under the Third Republic. The Jules Joffrin metro station (line 12) keeps his memory alive in the 18th arrondissement.

An American actor, filmmaker, and comedian born in 1926, Jerry Lewis is an icon of world comedy cinema. Famous for his duo with Dean Martin, he was particularly revered in France, where he was elevated to the rank of Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters.

Bernardo Bertolucci (1941-2018) was an Italian director and screenwriter, a major figure of European art-house cinema. He left his mark on the history of the seventh art with ambitious historical frescoes and a sumptuous visual style.

French actress born in 1953, considered one of the greatest performers in world cinema. A muse to directors such as Claude Chabrol and Michael Haneke, she brings an icy, deeply interior presence that redefines the art of acting.