Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
1920 – 1975Founding father of Bangladesh who led the independence movement against Pakistan and became the country's first President in 1971. He was assassinated in a military coup in 1975.
Famous Birthdays on March 17
12 notable people were born on March 17.
March 17 is the birth date of several notable figures in politics, literature, space exploration, and sports. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, born in 1920, was the founding father of Bangladesh. Science fiction author William Gibson entered the world in 1948. In 1962, astronaut Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian origin to travel to space, was born. The date also brings to mind the Honduran president Roberto Suazo Córdova, born in 1927, and North Korean footballer Pak Doo-ik, born in 1943, known for his role in a famous football upset.
20th Century12 people
William Gibson
1948American-Canadian speculative fiction writer
Kalpana Chawla
1962 – 2003American astronaut
Shinji Kagawa
1989Japanese midfielder who played for Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. He earned over 90 caps for the Japan national football team.
association football playerJapan
Raul Meireles
1983Portuguese midfielder who played for top European clubs including Chelsea, Liverpool, and Fenerbahçe, earning 78 caps for the national team.
association football playerPortugal
Edin Džeko
1986Prolific striker who became Bosnia and Herzegovina's all-time leading goalscorer with over 60 international goals and played for top European clubs including Manchester City, AS Roma, and Inter Milan.
association football playerBosnia And Herzegovina
John Boyega
1992British-Nigerian actor who gained international fame playing Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy (2015-2019). He won a BAFTA Rising Star Award and has become a prominent advocate for diversity in film.
Álvaro Recoba
1976Uruguayan attacking midfielder known as 'El Chino' who was famous for his left foot and played most notably for Inter Milan in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Brendan Galloway
1996English footballer who plays as a defender and has represented both England and Zimbabwe at international level. He has played for clubs including Everton, West Bromwich Albion, and Luton Town in his professional career.
association football playerUnited Kingdom
Roberto Suazo Córdova
1927 – 2018Honduran surgeon and politician who served as the 29th President from 1982 to 1986, leading the country's transition back to civilian rule.
Yeltsin Tejeda
1992Costa Rican defensive midfielder who has played for clubs in Switzerland and MLS, representing the national team in World Cup qualifiers.
association football playerCosta Rica
Pak Doo-ik
1943Former North Korean forward famous for scoring the winning goal against Italy in the 1966 World Cup quarter-final upset. He later became a football coach and dental technician.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on March 17?
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, born in 1920, is likely the most famous person born on March 17. He was the founding father and first President of Bangladesh. Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian origin to go to space, is also well-known among those born on this date.
Are there any astronauts born on March 17?
Yes, Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1962. She was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space, serving as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia. She tragically died in the Columbia disaster in 2003.
What famous science fiction author was born on March 17?
William Gibson was born on March 17, 1948. He is best known for writing the cyberpunk novel 'Neuromancer' and coined the term 'cyberspace.' He has had a significant impact on the science fiction genre.