Famous Americans

On April 19, 1782, John Adams secured recognition from the Dutch Republic of the United States as an independent government. This marked the start of one of America’s longest unbroken peaceful relationships with another nation.

Artist Charles Willson Peale was born on April 15, 1741, in Chester, Province of Maryland. A prolific artist from the Revolutionary era, he painted more than 1,100 portraits, including several of George Washington.

Dean Gooderham Acheson was born on April 11, 1893, in Middletown, Connecticut.  Serving in the state department for over a decade, he was influential in many of the United States’ World War II and post-war initiatives, including the Lend-Lease Act, Marshall Plan, and NATO.

On April 7, 1862, Ulysses S. Grant won the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee. The bloodiest battle in US history up to that point, one in four soldiers was killed, wounded, or captured.

Eldred Gregory Peck was born on April 5, 1916, in San Diego, California.  Appearing in over 60 films and numerous stage productions, he became one of Hollywood’s most beloved and respected actors, voted the 12th-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood.

Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri.  Poet, actor, author, teacher, and activist, Angelou became an influential voice of the 20th century.  

John Tyler was born on March 29, 1790, in Charles City County, Virginia. He was the first vice president to take the nation’s highest office following the death of a sitting president, setting the standard for Presidential succession.

American lithographer Nathaniel Currier was born on March 27, 1813, in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He founded the Currier & Ives printing firm, which produced over 7,500 different images of sentimental scenes, sports, humor, and national events.

Thomas Lanier “Tennessee” Williams III was born on March 26, 1911, in Columbus, Mississippi. One of the most successful playwrights of the 20th century, several of his works were adapted into films.