Born on August 29

The third Roman emperor, Caligula ruled from 37 to 41 AD. After a promising start, his reign descended into tyranny and extravagance. He was assassinated by officers of the Praetorian Guard.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619-1683) was the principal minister of Louis XIV, serving as Controller-General of Finances from 1665. The architect of an interventionist economic policy, he reorganized the royal finances and developed French industry and trade.

Mastani (c. 1699–1740) was the second wife of Bajirao I, the Maratha Peshwa. Daughter of a Rajput raja and a Muslim concubine, she was an accomplished dancer and warrior. Their interfaith love caused a scandal at the Maratha court and gave rise to legend.

French botanist and explorer (1773-1858), companion of Alexander von Humboldt during their famous expedition to South America (1799-1804). He catalogued thousands of plant species unknown in Europe and spent the rest of his life in Argentina.

French Neoclassical painter (1780–1867), student of David and rival of Delacroix. Master of drawing and portraiture, he defended the classical ideal against the emerging Romantic movement.

Swedish actress (1915–1982), a towering figure of classic Hollywood cinema. Made famous by Casablanca (1942), she won three Academy Awards and established herself as one of the greatest actresses of the twentieth century.

Charlie Parker, nicknamed “Bird,” was an American alto saxophonist and composer. With Dizzy Gillespie, he founded bebop in the late 1940s, revolutionizing jazz through his virtuosity and harmonic sense. His dazzling career was cut short by addiction.