A Gathering of Notable July 20 Birthdays
Today is July 20, and many famous people are celebrating their birthdays. Famous actor Sandra Oh is turning 55, while model Gisele Bundchen is turning 46. In the world of politics, former Senator Barbara Mikulski is celebrating her 90th birthday today, making her the longest serving woman in U.S. Congress history. Many other historical leaders, popular musicians, and talented actors also share this special day, which falls under the star sign of Cancer.
Today is July 20, which is a special date for many famous people born under the Cancer star sign.
First, Canadian actor Sandra Oh is celebrating her 55th birthday on this special summer day. She attended a major film awards ceremony in Canada during September of 2024. In addition, the famous model Gisele Bundchen is turning 46 years old today.
We also remember several important historical figures who share this July birthday. For example, the ancient Macedonian leader Alexander the Great was born in 356 B.C. Pope Innocent IX was born in 1519, and the botanist Gregor Johann Mendel was born in 1822. Furthermore, the great mountain explorer Edmund Hillary was born in the year 1919.
The famous artist Nam June Paik was born in 1932, and writer Cormac McCarthy was born in 1933. The modern artist Judy Chicago, who is now 87 years old, also has a birthday today.
In politics, former Senator Barbara Mikulski is turning 90 years old today. She has worked in the U.S. Congress as the longest serving woman in its history. In addition, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is celebrating his 53rd birthday today.
Many popular musicians are also celebrating their special birthdays on this day. Carlos Santana is turning 79, Kim Carnes is 81, and Jay Jay French is 74. Paul Cook is 70, Mick MacNeil is 68, Stone Gossard is 60, and Mike Kennerty is 46.
A large group of actors, including Omar Epps, who is 53, also have birthdays today. Other actors like Dean Winters and Adam Godley are both turning 62 today. We also see Simon Rex at 52, Judy Greer at 51, and Chloe Fineman at 38. Finally, Olympic figure skater Maia Shibutani is celebrating her 32nd birthday today.
Take a position. Out loud, if you can.
Four ways to start. Pick one and try saying it before you scroll on.
Tip · Record yourself, use in a notebook, or practice with a language partner.
What did Sandra Oh do in September of 2024?
Present Perfect Tense
We use the present perfect tense to talk about actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past and have relevance to the present.
“She has worked in the U.S. Congress as the longest serving woman in its history.”
What to know · B1
Try saying this aloud
Scenario: Celebrating milestones and careers.
- 01“She has worked here for a long time.”
- 02“They have achieved great success.”
- 03“We are celebrating our anniversary.”
Register tip · informal
🔑Key Phrases
Good for highlighting a calendar day shared by celebrities.
December 25 is a special date for many famous people.
Describes attending a high-profile industry event.
The director attended a major film awards ceremony last night.
Refers to people who shaped history.
We studied several important historical figures in class.
Identifies a record-holding female leader.
She became the longest serving woman in its history.
Article Audio — Kokoro TTS
A Gathering of Notable July 20 Birthdays
💬Discussion Questions
Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.
- 1
How do famous politicians influence global events today?
Opinion - 2
Do you think astrological signs can tell us about a person's personality?
Opinion - 3
Why do we celebrate birthdays every year, and how did this tradition start?
Evaluate - 4
Compare the lives of historical leaders like Alexander the Great with modern leaders.
Compare - 5
If you could meet any historical figure born on July 20, who would you choose and why?
Personal - 6
How will social media affect the way we celebrate birthdays in the future?
Predict - 7
What are the advantages and disadvantages of serving in a parliament for many years?
Evaluate - 8
How does a nation's culture affect the way they honor their elderly leaders?
Compare
Adapted from UPI World · Read the original. LectoPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.
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