Discover the Historical Events and Famous People Born on October 2

October 2 is a day that has seen many important events in history. It’s also the birthday of some very interesting people. In this article, we’ll learn about big things that happened on this day and about people who were born on October 2. From battles and kings to scientists and baseball players, this day has many stories to tell.

Historical Events of October 2

1187: Saladin Captures Jerusalem

On October 2, 1187, a famous Muslim leader named Saladin captured the city of Jerusalem. This was a very big deal because Jerusalem is a holy city for Muslims, Christians, and Jews.

At this time, there were many wars called the Crusades. Christian armies from Europe had taken Jerusalem about 100 years earlier. Saladin was the leader of the Muslim armies fighting against them.

When Saladin took Jerusalem, he was kind to the people living there. This surprised many people because wars were usually very cruel. Saladin’s capture of Jerusalem was a big win for the Muslim armies in the Crusades.

1552: Conquest of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible

On October 2, 1552, the Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible captured the city of Kazan. Ivan was the first ruler of Russia to use the title “Tsar,” which means emperor.

Kazan was the capital of a place called the Khanate of Kazan. It was ruled by people called the Tatars. Ivan wanted to make Russia bigger, so he attacked Kazan.

When Ivan won, it was a big change. Russia became much larger and more powerful. But it was also the start of many years of fighting between Russians and Tatars.

1919: Woodrow Wilson’s Stroke

On October 2, 1919, something very serious happened to the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson. He had a stroke, which is when blood can’t get to part of the brain.

This stroke left Wilson partly paralyzed. He couldn’t move parts of his body well. This was a big problem because he was the president and had to make important decisions.

Wilson’s stroke happened right after World War I. He was trying to get America to join a group called the League of Nations to help keep peace. Because he was sick, he couldn’t do his job well, and America didn’t join the League.

1938: Bob Feller’s Strikeout Record

On October 2, 1938, a young baseball player named Bob Feller did something amazing. He struck out 18 batters in one game. This was a new record at the time.

Feller played for the Cleveland Indians. He was only 19 years old when he set this record. Even though he struck out so many batters, his team still lost the game 4-1 to the Detroit Tigers.

Feller went on to become one of the best pitchers in baseball history. He was so good that he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

1967: Thurgood Marshall Sworn in as Supreme Court Justice

On October 2, 1967, Thurgood Marshall became the first Black person to be a Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. This was a very important moment in American history.

Before becoming a judge, Marshall was a lawyer who fought for civil rights. He helped win a famous case called Brown v. Board of Education, which said that segregation in schools was wrong.

As a Supreme Court Justice, Marshall continued to fight for equal rights for all people. He served on the Court for 24 years and made many important decisions.

Famous Birthdays on October 2

Richard III (1452-1485)

Richard III was born on October 2, 1452. He became the King of England, but only for a short time.

Richard became king in a way that made many people upset. Some people think he had his young nephews killed so he could be king. He only ruled for two years before he was killed in a battle.

For a long time, people thought Richard was a very bad king. But in recent years, some historians have said that maybe he wasn’t as bad as people thought. In 2012, Richard’s body was found buried under a parking lot in England!

Here’s a brief biography of Richard III:

Nat Turner (1800-1831)

Nat Turner was born on October 2, 1800. He was a slave in Virginia who led a famous rebellion against slavery.

Turner believed that God wanted him to free the slaves. In August 1831, he and other slaves began attacking white people. The rebellion lasted only a few days before it was stopped.

Turner’s rebellion scared many white people in the South. It made them create stricter laws against slaves. But it also helped the movement to end slavery grow stronger.

Here’s a brief biography of Nat Turner:

William Ramsay (1852-1916)

William Ramsay was born on October 2, 1852. He was a scientist from Scotland who made very important discoveries about gases.

Ramsay discovered a whole new group of gases called noble gases. These include helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon. Before Ramsay, no one knew these gases existed.

For his work, Ramsay won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1904. This is one of the biggest awards a scientist can get. His discoveries helped people understand more about how the world is made.

Here’s a brief biography of William Ramsay:

Groucho Marx (1890-1977)

Groucho Marx was born on October 2, 1890. He was a very famous American comedian who made people laugh for many years.

Groucho was part of a group called the Marx Brothers. They were a family who performed together in shows and movies. Groucho was known for his funny walk, his mustache, and his quick, clever jokes.

Later in his life, Groucho hosted a TV show called “You Bet Your Life.” He continued to make people laugh until he was very old. Many comedians today still say that Groucho influenced them.

Here’s a brief biography of Groucho Marx:

Maury Wills (1932-2022)

Maury Wills was born on October 2, 1932. He was a baseball player who was very good at stealing bases.

Wills played mostly for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 1962, he stole 104 bases, which was a new record at the time. He was so good at stealing bases that he changed how the game was played.

Wills won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1962. He helped his team win three World Series championships. After he stopped playing, he became a coach and helped teach other players.

Here’s a brief biography of Maury Wills:

Takeaway

October 2 has been a day of big events and important births throughout history. We’ve seen how it was a day when cities were captured, presidents got sick, and baseball records were broken. We’ve also learned about some very different people who were born on this day – from kings and rebels to scientists and comedians.

Each of these events and people has left a mark on our world. From Saladin’s capture of Jerusalem to Marshall’s fight for civil rights, from Ramsay’s discoveries in chemistry to Wills’ speed on the baseball field, October 2 has given us a lot to think about.

Learning about history helps us understand our world better. It shows us how things have changed over time and how the actions of people in the past still affect us today. So next time October 2 comes around, remember all these interesting events and people!

References:

1. Lyons, J. (2009). The House of Wisdom: How the Arabs Transformed Western Civilization. Bloomsbury Press.
2. Payne, R., & Romanoff, N. (2002). Ivan the Terrible. Cooper Square Press.
3. Cooper, J. M. (2009). Woodrow Wilson: A Biography. Knopf.
4. Feller, B., & Rocks, B. (2001). Now Pitching, Bob Feller: A Baseball Memoir. Sports Publishing LLC.
5. Williams, J. (1998). Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary. Three Rivers Press.
6. Hicks, M. (2003). Richard III: The Man Behind the Myth. History Press.
7. Greenberg, K. S. (2003). Nat Turner: A Slave Rebellion in History and Memory. Oxford University Press.
8. Travers, T. (1956). William Ramsay: A Life and Letters. E. Arnold.
9. Kanfer, S. (2000). Groucho: The Life and Times of Julius Henry Marx. Vintage.
10. Maury Wills with Mike Celizic. (1991). On the Run: The Never Dull and Often Shocking Life of Maury Wills. Carroll & Graf Publishers.