Saint Benedict of Nursia was born in Nursia (now Norcia, Italy) on March 2, 480AD. Tradition holds that he was born into a noble family, but he chose a life of spiritual dedication. Benedict is best known for his establishment of the Rule of Saint Benedict, a set of guidelines for monastic living. His rule emphasized a balanced life of prayer, work, and study, focusing on moderation, obedience, and humility. The Rule has been widely influential and is still followed by Benedictine communities around the world.
American catcher and coach Morris "Moe" Berg was born on March 2, 1902. Although he played 15 seasons in the major leagues, almost entirely for four American League teams, Berg was never more than an average player. He was better known for being "the brainiest guy in
baseball." Berg spoke several languages and found a post-baseball career as a US spy during World War II; he was ordered to kill Werner Heisenberg if the Nazis came close to building a nuclear bomb.
The German-American author and illustrator Theodor Seuss "Ted" Geisel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on March 2, 1904. He is best known for authoring more than 60 children's books under the pen name
Dr. Seuss. Geisel was not a doctor. He later added the “Dr.” to his "Seuss" pen name because his father had wanted him to become a professor. Dr Seuss’ should be pronounced ‘Dr Zoice’ (rhymes 'voice').
 |
| Ted Geisel holding the Cat in the Hat at Desk in 1957 |
Mikhail Gorbachev was born on March 2, 1931 to a peasant family in Privolnoye, southwest Russia. As a child, Mikhail experienced the Soviet famine of 1932–1933. Nearly half the population of his native village starved to death, including two sisters and an uncle. Gorbachev was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and the first (and last) president of the Soviet Union from 1990 until it was dissolved in 1991.
For more March 2nd anniversaries, including the first ballet performed in Britain, the installation of the first automatic street light and the premiere of
The Sound of Music movie, check out
OnThatDay.
