19 historically significant individuals born on January 28. January 28 is the birthdate of several notable individuals from different areas like royalty, literature, music, and science. Some of the prominent people born on this day include Frederick VI of Denmark (1768), Cuban revolutionary and poet José Martí (1853), pianist Arthur Rubinstein (1887), Albanian novelist Ismail Kadare (1936), and Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Tomas Lindahl (1938). These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields.
Total Born
19
Countries
16
Top Century
20th· 12
Top Field
association football player
6 individuals
Headline Figures
scientist
Robert W. Holley
1922 – 1993Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1968)
essayist
José Martí
1853 – 1895Cuban poet, writer, and independence leader who became a national hero and symbol of Cuban freedom. He founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party and died fighting for independence from Spain in 1895.
novelist
Ismail Kadare
1936 – 2024Albanian novelist and poet who won the inaugural Man Booker International Prize in 2005 and was considered a leading voice in world literature.
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (12)
19th (4)
7th C.20th C.
20th Century
12Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Robert W. Holley
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1968)
Ismail Kadare
novelistpoet
Albanian novelist and poet who won the inaugural Man Booker International Prize in 2005 and was considered a leading voice in world literature.
Carlos Slim
business magnatechief executive officer
Mexican business magnate who became one of the world's richest people through his telecommunications empire, particularly his control of América Móvil.
Nicolas Sarkozy
juristlawyer
French president from 2007 to 2012 who implemented economic reforms and played a key role in the 2008 financial crisis response.
Gianluigi Buffon
association football player
Italian goalkeeper widely considered one of the greatest of all time, winning the 2006 World Cup and holding the record for most appearances in Serie A history.
Kwoh-Ting Li
economistfinance minister
Taiwanese politician (1910-2001)
Yasuhito Endo
association football player
Japanese midfielder who captained Gamba Osaka to multiple domestic titles and played in three World Cups. He earned 152 caps for Japan, making him one of their most experienced internationals.
Wan Zack Haikal
association football player
Professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and has represented Malaysia in international competitions.
Tomas Lindahl
biologistchemist
Swedish biochemist who won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering research on DNA repair mechanisms.
Papa Bouba Diop
association football player
Defensive midfielder who scored the winning goal against France in the 2002 World Cup, one of the biggest upsets in tournament history.
Eduardo Aranda
association football coachassociation football player
Paraguayan midfielder who has played for various clubs in Paraguay's domestic league and later moved into coaching roles.
Dušan Vlahović
association football player
Serbian footballer
19th Century
4Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
José Martí
essayistjournalist
Cuban poet, writer, and independence leader who became a national hero and symbol of Cuban freedom. He founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party and died fighting for independence from Spain in 1895.
James Craig Watson
astronomeruniversity teacher
American astronomer (1838-1880)
Olga Rudel-Zeynek
journalistpolitician
Austrian politician (1871-1948)
Arthur Rubinstein
classical pianistrecording artist
Polish-American classical pianist considered one of the greatest performers of the 20th century, particularly renowned for his interpretations of Chopin and Brahms.
18th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Frederick VI of Denmark
monarch
King of Denmark and Norway from 1808-1839 who lost Norway to Sweden in 1814 but implemented significant domestic reforms in Denmark.
14th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Razadarit
monarch
Ninth king of the Hanthawaddy Pegu Kingdom in Burma from 1384 to 1421.
7th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Toneri-shinnō
historianpolitician
Son of emperor Temmu; father of emperor Junnin (676-735)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on January 28?
José Martí, the Cuban national hero and writer born in 1853, is widely considered the most famous person born on January 28. He played a crucial role in Cuba's independence movement and is revered throughout Latin America for his poetry and political activism.
Are there any Nobel Prize winners born on January 28?
Yes, Tomas Lindahl, born on January 28, 1938, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2015 for his work on DNA repair mechanisms. The Swedish scientist shared the prize for discoveries that explained how cells repair damaged DNA and safeguard genetic information.
What famous musician was born on January 28?
Arthur Rubinstein, the legendary Polish-American pianist, was born on January 28, 1887. He is considered one of the greatest classical pianists of the 20th century, particularly known for his interpretations of Chopin's works.