- Santorio Sanctorius, Venetian physiologist and physician (invented thermometer), born in Venice (d. 1636)
- John Ponsonby, Irish politician (Speaker of the House, 1756-1771), born in Kilkenny, Ireland (d. 1789)
- Alfred Neubauer, German racing team manager (Mercedes Benz), born in Neutitschein, Austria-Hungary (d. 1980)
- Sam Walton, American businessman (founder and CEO of Walmart and Sam's Club), born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma (d. 1992)
- Ruby Murray, Irish pop singer ("Heartbeat"; "Softly, Softly"), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland (d. 1996)
- Willem Ruis, Dutch TV host (Willem Ruis Show), born in Haarlem, Netherlands (d. 1986)
- Dave Greenfield, British rock keyboardist, and songwriter (The Stranglers - "Golden Brown"), born in Brighton, England (d. 2020)
- Earl Campbell, American College-Pro Football HOF running back (Heisman Trophy 1977, Uni of Texas; Pro Bowl 1978, 79, 80, 81, 83, Houston Oilers), born in Tyler, Texas
- British North America Act (Canadian constitution) is given Royal Assent
- 23rd Academy Awards: "All About Eve", Judy Holliday and José Ferrer win
- US Congress discontinues aid to Nicaraguan contras
- 9th Golden Raspberry Awards: "Cocktail" wins
- WrestleMania XXXI, Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA (76,976): Seth Rollins beats Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns in impromptu triple threat match to capture WWE Heavyweight title
- Ivan Goll, French-German writer (the Landless John), born in Saint-Dié (d. 1950)
- Yvonne Waegemans, Flemish writer (Gnome Patjoepelke), born in Flanders (d. 1991)
- Nana Akufo-Addo [William Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo], Ghanaian politician, President of Ghana (2017-), born in Accra, Gold Coast
- Annabella Sciorra, American actress (The Sopranos), born in Brooklyn, New York
- Marc Overmars, Dutch soccer winger (86 caps; Ajax, Arsenal, FC Barcelona) and executive (director of football Royal Antwerp FC), born in Emst, Netherlands