December 29, 1961

1961Kevin Granata, American engineer and academic (died 2007)^[†]

Kevin P. Granata was an American professor in multiple departments including the Departments of Engineering, Science and Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, in Blacksburg, Virginia. Granata held an additional academic appointment as a professor in the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and was an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. During the Virginia Tech shooting, he shepherded students into his office in order to safeguard them. He was then killed by Seung-Hui Cho after he went to investigate and intervene.

1961Richard Horton, English physician and journalist^[†]

Richard Charles Horton is editor-in-chief of The Lancet, a United Kingdom–based medical journal. He is an honorary professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University College London, and the University of Oslo.

1961Jim Reid, Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist^[†]

James McLeish Reid is a Scottish singer/songwriter and the lead singer for the alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain, which he formed with his elder brother and guitarist William Reid in 1983.

1961Iliya Valov, Bulgarian football player (d. 2024)^[†]

Iliya Valov was a Bulgarian footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He made 34 appearances for Bulgaria.