Alabama’s Famous, Legendary & Notorious Index

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Alabama’s Famous, Legendary & Notorious Index

Hank Aaron

Birthplace: Mobile
Occupation: Baseball player
Born: February 5, 1934
Famous Fact: Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs in 1974, finishing with a career total of 755

Nat King Cole

Birthplace: Montgomery
Occupation: Singer
Born: March 17, 1919
Died: February 15, 1965
Famous Fact: Nat King Cole was the first black host of a television variety series in 1956.

Captain Samuel Dale

The legendary Canoe Fight occurred during the Creek War of 1813-1814 in present-day Clarke County. Leading a mission to drive the Creeks from the Mississippi Territory, Capt. Samuel Dale and his small band of militia engaged a group of 10 Creek warriors and a chief on the Alabama River. After shooting two of the warriors from the shore, Dale and two others boarded a canoe paddled by a free African-American and killed the remaining nine Creeks in hand-to-hand combat. Dale’s role in the fight earned him the nickname “Daniel Boone of Alabama,” and he later served as a representative in the first Alabama General Assembly.

Helen Keller

Birthplace: Tuscumbia
Occupation: Educator, Activist, Author
Born: June 27, 1880
Died: June 1, 1968
Famous Fact: Keller was among the founders of the ACLU in 1920

Coretta Scott King

Birthplace: Heiberger
Occupation: Activist
Born: April 27, 1927
Died: January 30, 2006
Famous Fact: Scott King died in a rehabilitation center in Rosarito, Mexico, just 16 miles south of San Diego

Harper Lee

Birthplace: Monroeville
Occupation: Author
Born: April 28, 1926
Died: February 19, 2016
Famous Fact: Lee, who was characteristically responsible with her funds, had an affinity for quarter slot machines.

Joe Louis

Birthplace: La Fayette
Occupation: Boxer
Born: May 13, 1914
Died: April 12, 1981
Famous Facts: Nicknamed the “Brown Bomber”, Louis held the national heavyweight title a record 12 years and defended it 25 times.

Willie Mays

Birthplace: Westfield
Occupation: Baseball player
Born: May 6, 1931
Famous Fact: Mays, who was friends and teammates with Bobby Bonds, is Barry Bonds’ godfather. Bonds and Mays are tied at third for all-time home runs in the MLB.

Jim Nabors

Birthplace: Sylacauga
Occupation: Actor, singer
Born: June 12, 1930
Famous Fact: Before finding fame, Nabors worked a desk job for the United Nations in New York City.

Jesse Owens

Satchel Paige

Occupation: Baseball player
Born: July 7, 1906
Died: June 8, 1982
Famous Fact: Paige alleges that he had played for over 250 teams in the Negro Leagues, but records are not available to verify the claim.

Wilson Pickett

Birthplace: Prattville
Occupation: Singer
Born: March 18, 1941
Died: January 19, 2006
Famous Fact: Pickett began his singing career with gospel group, The Violinaires.