Stars Shine: Celebrating Notable Birthdays

In a celestial twist, Wednesday, July 3rd, marks a gathering of cosmic forces, producing luminous beings and legends. As the sun rises, so does the fate of those born on this auspicious day.

Get ready for some breathtaking moments as we delve deeper into the world of people born today:

Julian Assange (1971)

Julian Paul Assange, born in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, is the founder of WikiLeaks, an editor, publisher, and activist. Assange came to international attention in 2010 when he released a series of leaks by a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst through WikiLeaks. He was arrested in 2019 on espionage charges and released in 2024 after accepting a U.S. plea deal. His work has earned him numerous awards for publishing and journalism.

Tom Cruise (1962)

The iconic Hollywood actor, born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV in Syracuse, New York, has undergone a fascinating style evolution over the years. He made his mark with leading roles in the comedy film Risky Business and the action film Top Gun. Cruise dominated the ’90s with hits such as A Few Good Men, The Firm and Jerry Maguire. These films catapulted him to fame and earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor and another Oscar nomination. With over $5 billion in North American box office grosses and $12 billion worldwide, Cruise remains one of the highest-grossing stars of all time.

Richard Hadlee (1951)

Sir Richard Hadlee, born in St Albans, New Zealand, is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of cricket. With the bat, Hadlee scored 3,124 runs and as a right-arm fast bowler he took 431 wickets in Test matches, a world record at the time. Hadlee’s mastery of swing bowling with the new ball set him apart and made him a cricketing legend. He was appointed MBE in 1980 and knighted in 1990 for services to cricket. Hadlee’s impact on cricket is indelible and his legacy continues to inspire players worldwide.

Frans Kafka (1883)

The Bohemian writer of short stories and novels is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century literature. His unique writing style combines elements of fantasy and realism, with his protagonists often completely isolated and encountering surreal or bizarre situations. Themes of guilt, absurdity, existential angst, and alienation permeate his work. Some of Kafka’s best-known works include The Metamorphosis, The Trial, and The Castle. His writing style has been described as “Kafkaesque,” a term that captures the complex and enigmatic nature of his stories.