May 16 birthdays

1861 H. H. HOLMES American serial killer

Despite confessing to 27 murders (including some people who were verifiably still alive), Holmes was convicted and sentenced to death for the killing of his accomplice and business partner. However, it is thought he killed at least eight people.

1905 HENRY FONDA American actor

Fonda made his mark as a Broadway actor before making his Hollywood debut in 1935. His film credits include Jezebel, The Grapes of Wrath, and 12 Angry Men. He is the father of actors Jane and Peter.

1919 LIBERACE American pianist

A child prodigy, Liberace enjoyed a career spanning more than 40 years of concerts, recordings, television, films, etc. At the height of his fame from the 1950s to the 1970s, Liberace was the highest paid entertainer in the world.

1931 HANA BRADY Czech Holocaust victim

Brady died in the gas chambers at the German concentration camp of Auschwitz, located in the occupied territory of Poland. She is the subject of the 2002 non-fiction children’s book Hana’s Suitcase, written by Karen Levine.

1941 ALDRICH AMES American spy

Ames was a CIA officer turned KGB double agent who was convicted of espionage in 1994. At the time of his arrest, he had compromised more highly classified CIA assets than any other officer in history.