Catherine Labouré

French nun and visionary of the Miraculous Medal

Catherine Labouré - Activists & Humanitarians born May 2nd, 1806
Born
Died
Category

Activists & Humanitarians

Country

France

Links & References

Born in France in 1806, became a member of the Daughters of Charity. Received a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1830, leading to the creation of the Miraculous Medal. Dedicated life to serving the poor and supporting the spiritual needs of her community. After death, her body was found incorrupt, which contributed to her canonization in 1947.

Received visions of the Virgin Mary

Established the Miraculous Medal

Canonized as a saint in 1947

Other People Born on May 2nd

Gottfried Benn

German author and poet
Born
May 2nd, 1886 139 years ago
Died
July 7th, 1956 69 years ago — 70 years old

An influential German author and poet, contributed significantly to modernist literature in the early 20th century. Initially trained as a physician, wrote extensively on themes of existence, identity, and the human condition. Benn's poetry was characterized by its experimental style and exploration of the subconscious. His major work includes the poetry collection 'Morgue' which reflects stark imagery and existential themes. Actively involved in various literary movements throughout his career, including Expressionism and later a return to classic forms, Benn's writings elicited both praise and controversy for their content and style.

Continue Reading

Catherine the Great

Empress of Russia, Westernization advocate
Born
May 2nd, 1729 296 years ago
Died
November 17th, 1796 229 years ago — 67 years old

Catherine the Great ascended to the throne of Russia in 1762 after a coup d'état against her husband, Emperor Peter III. During her reign, she expanded the Russian Empire significantly, establishing a powerful and influential state. She implemented a series of reforms aimed at modernizing Russia's administration and economy, inspired by Enlightenment ideas. Patron of the arts, she founded the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens, the first state-financed higher education institution for women. Catherine also engaged in foreign affairs, promoting territorial expansion through successful military campaigns against the Ottoman Empire and Poland.

Continue Reading

Henry Hall

English bandleader and actor in film
Born
May 2nd, 1898 127 years ago
Died
October 28th, 1989 36 years ago — 91 years old

Born in England, this individual rose to prominence as a bandleader and composer, actively engaging audiences in the entertainment scene during the early to mid-20th century. He led the BBC Dance Orchestra, which gained popularity through radio broadcasts. His musical compositions contributed significantly to the British music landscape, while his performances showcased his talent in various film productions, enhancing the public's appreciation for his artistry. Alongside music, he displayed considerable skill in acting, particularly in cinema, where he appeared in several films that showcased his range and ability to connect with audiences.

Continue Reading

William Petty

Irish-English politician, Prime Minister
Born
May 2nd, 1737 288 years ago
Died
May 7th, 1805 220 years ago — 68 years old

Born in 1737, a prominent politician in Great Britain served as Prime Minister from 1782 to 1783. Held significant positions, including the 2nd Earl of Shelburne. Focused on liberal economic policies and promoted free trade. Played a role in negotiating the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which ended the American Revolutionary War. Contributed to the establishment of the British political landscape during a time of significant change.

Continue Reading

Jacques Rogge

International Olympic Committee President
Born
May 2nd, 1942 83 years ago
Died
August 29th, 2021 4 years ago — 79 years old

Served as the eighth president of the International Olympic Committee from 2001 to 2013. Played a significant role in the organization of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. Became a member of the IOC in 2000 and was instrumental in promoting the Olympic values and addressing issues related to doping. Also held the position of president of the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee before ascending to the IOC presidency.

Continue Reading

Yongle Emperor of China

Chinese Emperor and Ming Dynasty ruler
Born
May 2nd, 1360 665 years ago
Died
1424 602 years ago — 64 years old

Ruled from 1402 to 1424 and was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Launched the Yongle Encyclopedia, one of the largest works of its kind in history. Oversaw the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing, which became the imperial palace. Expanded maritime exploration, commissioning voyages led by Zheng He to establish trade and diplomatic relations. Revamped the military and administrative structures of the empire, contributing to a period of stability and consolidation.

Continue Reading

Other People Who Died on December 31st

Ludolph van Ceulen

Mathematician; introduced pi calculation
Born
January 28th, 1540 486 years ago
Died
December 31st, 1610 415 years ago — 70 years old

German-Dutch mathematician and academic contributed significantly to the field of mathematics, particularly in the calculation of pi. Van Ceulen spent a considerable portion of his life calculating the value of pi to 35 decimal places. This achievement was commemorated on his tombstone in St. Peter's Church in Leyden. He also authored several works on geometry and was a notable figure in the mathematical community during the 16th century. His work laid important groundwork for future developments in mathematics and numerical computation.

Continue Reading

Arnold Rüütel

Estonian politician and President
Born
May 10th, 1928 97 years ago
Died
December 31st, 2024 1 years ago — 96 years old

An agronomist and politician, served as the President of Estonia from 2001 to 2006. Elected to the Riigikogu, the Estonian parliament, in 1990, played a significant role in Estonia's transition to independence from the Soviet Union. During presidency, focused on strengthening national identity and international relations. Prior to presidency, held various positions in the agricultural sector, contributing to the country's development in post-Soviet times.

Continue Reading

Margaret, Countess of Anjou

Noblewoman and Countess of Anjou
Born
1273 753 years ago
Died
December 31st, 1299 726 years ago — 26 years old

Born in the 13th century, held the title of Countess of Anjou through marriage. Became the mother of notable descendants who played significant roles in the European aristocracy. Contributed to alliances and political relations between various noble houses. The marriage strengthened connections between England and France during a tumultuous period in history.

Continue Reading

Donald E. Westlake

Author and screenwriter of crime novels
Born
July 12th, 1933 92 years ago
Died
December 31st, 2008 17 years ago — 75 years old

An American author and screenwriter contributed significantly to the literary world through over 100 published works. Primarily recognized for writing crime and mystery novels, influenced the genre with clever plots and sharp wit. His most notable work includes the Parker series, featuring the character Parker, a professional thief. Westlake also achieved acclaim in screenwriting, particularly for writing the screenplay for the film adaptation of Richard Stark's novel. He received the Edgar Award multiple times, solidifying his reputation in crime fiction. His writing style combined humor and suspense, appealing to a broad audience.

Continue Reading

Per Oscarsson

Swedish actor, director, screenwriter
Born
January 28th, 1927 99 years ago
Died
December 31st, 2010 15 years ago — 83 years old

An actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, recognized for contributions to European cinema. Gained prominence in the 1960s and 1970s. Appeared in notable films such as 'The Uninvited' and 'The Nothing Factory'. Beyond acting, directed several stage productions and spent time developing screenplays. Received acclaim for performance in 'The Man on the Roof', which showcased versatility in both dramatic and comedic roles. Awarded the Guldbagge Award for Best Actor.

Continue Reading

Vasily Lazarev

Russian astronaut and physician
Born
February 23rd, 1928 97 years ago
Died
December 31st, 1990 35 years ago — 62 years old

Served as a colonel in the Soviet Air Force and contributed to the Soviet space program as a physician and cosmonaut. Participated in the Soyuz 14 mission in 1974, which involved a successful docking with the Salyut 7 space station. Conducted scientific research during the mission that contributed to the understanding of long-duration spaceflight effects on the human body.

Continue Reading