HistoryData

Famous Birthdays on September 2

10 notable people were born on September 2.

September 2 is the birth date of several notable figures in politics, science, and entertainment. Wilhelm Ostwald, a German physical chemist born in 1853, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Daniel arap Moi, who became President of Kenya, was born in 1924. Andrej Babiš, a Czech businessman and politician, was born in 1954. This date also marks the birth of North Korean politician Pak Song-chol in 1913, and Soviet actor Yevgeny Leonov in 1926.

20th Century9 people

Daniel arap Moi

Daniel arap Moi

1924 – 2020

Kenya's second President (1978-2002) who ruled for 24 years during the single-party era before being forced to accept multi-party elections.

ministerpoliticianKenya
Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves

1964

Canadian actor known for his roles in "The Matrix" trilogy, "John Wick" franchise, and "Speed".

film actorfilm directorfilm producerCanada
Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek

1966

Mexican-American actress and producer who became the first Mexican woman nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Frida (2002).

film actorfilm directorfilm producerMexico
Carlos Valderrama

Carlos Valderrama

1961

Colombian midfielder known for his distinctive blonde afro and creative playmaking who captained the national team at three World Cups.

association football coachassociation football playerColombia
Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer

1962

Former Director of Public Prosecutions and human rights barrister who became Leader of the Labour Party in 2020 and Prime Minister in 2024.

barristerjuristpoliticianUnited Kingdom
Andrej Babiš

Andrej Babiš

1954

Slovak-born Czech billionaire businessman who served as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 2017 to 2021, leading the populist ANO movement while facing fraud allegations.

businesspersoneconomistentrepreneurCzech Republic
Yevgeny Leonov

Yevgeny Leonov

1926 – 1994

Soviet character actor beloved for his roles in comedies like 'Gentlemen of Fortune' and as the voice of Winnie-the-Pooh in Russian films. He was known for playing kind-hearted, everyman characters.

actorcomedianfilm actorRussia
Rafik Halliche

Rafik Halliche

1986

Centre-back defender who played for clubs including Fulham and Nacional, earning over 50 caps for Algeria between 2007-2017.

association football playerAlgeria
Pak Song-chol

Pak Song-chol

1913 – 2008

North Korean independence fighter and politician who served as Premier from 1976 to 1977. He was a founding member of the Workers' Party and held various high-ranking positions.

politicianresistance fighterNorth Korea

19th Century1 person

Wilhelm Ostwald

Wilhelm Ostwald

1853 – 1932

Baltic German physical chemist who won the 1909 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on catalysis and chemical equilibria. He formulated Ostwald's dilution law and promoted the ionic theory of solutions.

chemistEsperantistIdistGermany

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the most famous person born on September 2?
Wilhelm Ostwald, the German chemist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909, is likely the most internationally recognized person born on September 2, 1853. Daniel arap Moi, President of Kenya for 24 years, is also widely known for his political influence in Africa.
Are there any Nobel Prize winners born on September 2?
Wilhelm Ostwald, born on September 2, 1853, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909. He made significant contributions to physical chemistry, particularly in catalysis and chemical equilibria, and helped establish the scientific discipline of physical chemistry.
Which politicians were born on September 2?
Prominent politicians born on September 2 include Daniel arap Moi, who was Kenya's President from 1978 to 2002, and Pak Song-chol, a leading North Korean politician born in 1913. Andrej Babiš, born in 1954, was Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 2017 to 2021.