Born on July 18

French pianist, composer and pedagogue (1816–1898), professor at the Paris Conservatoire for nearly forty years. He trained generations of pianists, including Bizet, Debussy and d'Indy, and contributed to the rise of music education in France.

French mezzo-soprano and composer (1821–1910), daughter of tenor Manuel García and sister of La Malibran. She was one of the great opera singers of the 19th century, muse to Ivan Turgenev and many Romantic composers.

French writer of Russian origin (1900-1999), Nathalie Sarraute is a major figure of the French Nouveau Roman. She revolutionized the novel form by exploring movements of consciousness and the 'sub-conversations' that animate human relationships.

South African political leader (1918–2013), founding figure of the struggle against apartheid and first Black president of South Africa. Imprisoned for 27 years for his revolutionary activities, he became a symbol of reconciliation and democratic transition in his country.

John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth on February 20, 1962, aboard the Friendship 7 capsule. A military pilot and Korean War hero, he later became a senator from Ohio and returned to space in 1998 at age 77.

Thomas Kuhn was an American physicist, historian, and philosopher of science. His work *The Structure of Scientific Revolutions* (1962) profoundly transformed our understanding of how science evolves by introducing the notion of the “paradigm”.

Jean Yanne (1933-2003) was a French comedian, actor, director, screenwriter and broadcaster. A figure of nonconformism and fierce irony, he left his mark on post-war French radio, cinema and satire.

Priyanka Chopra is an Indian actress and singer born in 1982 in Jamshedpur. Crowned Miss World in 2000, she became one of Bollywood's most popular actresses before breaking into Hollywood. She embodies India's cultural influence on the world stage.