On this day in history, August 16, American legends Aretha Franklin, Babe Ruth and Elvis Presley died

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It's the day the legends died. 

Three giants of American pop culture — queen of soul Aretha Franklin, sultan of swat Babe Ruth and king of rock ‘n’ roll Elvis Presley — each were summoned to the royal court of immortality on this day in history, August 16: Franklin in 2018, Ruth in 1948 and Presley in 1977. 

Franklin and Presley were arguably the greatest female and male voices in modern music history. 

Ruth remains perhaps the most celebrated athlete in American sports. 

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Each stands as a larger-than-life figure long after their August 16 deaths. 

Franklin (1942-2018) sold more than 75 million records worldwide and topped the list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" published by Rolling Stone magazine in 2008. 

August 16 is the day these three legends died. American icons Aretha Franklin (1942-2018), Babe Ruth (1895-1948) and Elvis Presley (1935-1977), three giants of American pop culture, all passed away on the same date. (NBC/Getty; MPI/Getty; Archive Photos/Getty)

"You know a force from heaven," diva Mary J. Blige raved in the Rolling Stone chronicle of top singers. 

"You know something that God made. And Aretha is a gift from God."

Franklin is best remembered for landmark hits "Respect," "Chain of Fools" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." 

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That trio of tunes alone are scripted in the catalog of greatest American music. 

Together they demonstrated Franklin's awesome vocal power