March 8 birthdays and deaths:

William III of England

William III, Prince of Orange, was born in 1650 in The Hague. He became King of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1689, following the Glorious Revolution. He reigned jointly with his wife Mary II until her death in 1694, and then ruled alone until his own death in 1702.

Deathyear: 1702

Joe DiMaggio

Joseph Paul DiMaggio, nicknamed "Joltin' Joe," was an American baseball icon. A 13-time All-Star and 9-time World Series champion, he played 13 seasons with the New York Yankees, setting 56-game hit record in 1941. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.

Deathyear: 1999

William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft was a prominent American politician who served as the 27th President of the United States from 1909 to 1913. Prior to his presidency, he served as the 33rd Governor-General of the Philippines and as the 2nd Secretary of War under President Theodore Roosevelt.

Deathyear: 1930

Max von Sydow

Max von Sydow is a renowned Swedish actor born in 1929. With a career spanning over 60 years, he has appeared in films like "The Exorcist," "Star Wars," and "Game of Thrones." His iconic performances have earned him international recognition and accolades, solidifying his place in cinematic history.

Deathyear: 2020

Millard Fillmore

Millard Fillmore was a lawyer and politician who served as the 13th President of the United States from 1850-1853. He was born on January 7, 1800, in Summerhill, New York.

Deathyear: 1874

George Martin

George Martin, a renowned English composer, conductor, and producer, was born in 1926. He is best known for his work with the Beatles, producing and arranging many of their iconic songs, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of popular music.

Deathyear: 2016

Jack Churchill

Jack Churchill (1906-1996) was a British colonel, adventurer, and politician. He was the last British serviceman to kill an enemy in single combat when he shot an Italian sniper with his longbow during World War II.

Deathyear: 1996

William Guarnere

William "Wild Bill" Guarnere was a American sergeant during World War II. He served with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. Guarnere received the Bronze Star and Silver Star for his heroism during the war.

Deathyear: 2014

Bayezid I

Bayezid I, the Ottoman Sultan from 1389 to 1402, expanded the empire, capturing Salonica and the Balkans. He engaged in costly wars with the Balkan states and the Republic of Genoa, accumulating heavy debts and leading to the decline of the Ottoman Empire.

Deathyear: 1403

Harold Lloyd

Harold Lloyd was a pioneering American actor, director, and producer, known for his daredevil stunts and comedies. Elected to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame, Lloyd's iconic films, such as "Safety Last!" and "The Freshman," continue to delight audiences.

Deathyear: 1971

John Inman

John Inman, born in 1935, is a beloved English actor and comedian, best known for his iconic role as Mr. Humphries in the BBC sitcom "Are You Being Served?"

Deathyear: 2007

Hector Berlioz

Hector Berlioz was a pioneering French composer, conductor, and critic, known for his innovative and expressive works. Born in 1803, Berlioz was a master of orchestration and harmony, and his compositions, such as "Symphonie Fantastique," continue to delight audiences with their dramatic and poetic flair.

Deathyear: 1869

Ron "Pigpen" McKernan

Ron "Pigpen" McKernan was a founding member of the Grateful Dead, playing keyboards and singing. His soulful voice and energetic stage presence earned him a devoted following. Despite his untimely death in 1973 at age 27, his legacy as a pioneering rock musician remains.

Deathyear: 1973

Charles XIV John

Charles XIV John of Sweden (1763-1844) was the King of Sweden and Norway from 1818 to 1844. Born Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, he was a French military general and Marshal of France before becoming King of Sweden.

Deathyear: 1844

Sam Simon

Sam Simon, born on June 6, 1955, is a renowned American director, producer, and screenwriter. Best known for co-creating the iconic TV show "The Simpsons", he has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry, earning multiple awards and nominations for his work in comedy and drama.

Deathyear: 2015

Christopher Wren

Christopher Wren, a renowned English architect, designed St. Paul's Cathedral, one of London's most iconic landmarks. Born in 1632, Wren's innovative designs and structural genius transformed the city's architectural landscape. His masterpiece, St. Paul's, still stands as a testament to his creative and mathematical genius.

Deathyear: 1723

Adam Faith

Adam Faith was a renowned English singer and composer, born in 1940. He rose to fame in the 1950s with hit songs like "What'd I Say" and "Poor Me". His smooth voice and charismatic stage presence earned him a loyal fan base and a lasting legacy in British pop music.

Deathyear: 2003

Aslan Maskhadov

Aslan Maskhadov was a Chechen commander and politician who served as the President of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria from 1997 until his death in 2005. He was born in 1951 and was a key figure in the Chechen independence movement.

Deathyear: 2005

José Raúl Capablanca

José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban chess player who became the 3rd World Chess Champion in 1921 and held the title until his defeat by Alexander Alekhine in 1927. He was known for his positional playing style and was considered one of the greatest players of the early 20th century.

Deathyear: 1942

Peggy Cass

Peggy Cass was an American actress and comedian, born in 1924. She was a popular figure in the 1950s and 1960s, known for her sharp wit and charming stage presence.

Deathyear: 1999

Ray Nitschke

Ray Nitschke, a Hall of Fame linebacker, played for the Green Bay Packers from 1958 to 1972. Known for his tenacious tackling and aggressive play, he was nicknamed "The Chief."

Deathyear: 1998

George Stevens

George Stevens was a renowned American film director, producer, and screenwriter, renowned for his cinematic mastery. Born in 1904, Stevens directed classic films like "A Place in the Sun," "Giant," and "Shane," earning him four Academy Award nominations and cementing his legacy in Hollywood.

Deathyear: 1975

Henry Ward Beecher

Henry Ward Beecher was a prominent American minister and social reformer born in 1813. He was a vocal advocate for abolition, women's rights, and temperance. He was also a influential speaker and writer, known for his progressive views and charismatic preaching style.

Deathyear: 1887

Ferdinand von Zeppelin

Ferdinand von Zeppelin was a German general and businessman who developed the first rigid airships, revolutionizing transportation and warfare. Born in 1838, he founded the Zeppelin Company, producing airships for military and civilian use, leaving a lasting legacy in aviation history.

Deathyear: 1917

Billy Eckstine

Billy Eckstine (1914-1993) was a legendary American jazz singer and trumpeter. Known for his smooth, velvety voice and impressive vocal range, he was one of the most popular and influential jazz singers of the 20th century.

Deathyear: 1993

Sherwood Anderson

Sherwood Anderson (1876-1941) was an American novelist and short story writer. His innovative storytelling style, which emphasized small-town America and personal introspection, influenced modernist literature. His most famous work, "Winesburg, Ohio," explores the inner lives of a small Ohio town.

Deathyear: 1941

Adela of Normandy

Adela of Normandy, born circa 1067, became Countess of Blois through her marriage to Stephen, Count of Blois. She was a sister of King William the Conqueror of England and played a significant role in the politics of medieval France, fostering alliances and influencing the fate of her family.

Deathyear: 1137

William Walton

William Walton was a renowned English composer, born on March 29, 1902. He is best known for his iconic scores for film and ballet, including the legendary "Henry V" and "Hamlet" operas. Walton's music often blended modern and classical elements, earning him international acclaim.

Deathyear: 1983

Francesco I Sforza

Francesco I Sforza, Duke of Milan, was a powerful Italian condottiero and statesman. Born in 1401, he ruled Milan from 1450 until his death in 1466. He strengthened Milan's economy, expanded its territories, and established the Sforza dynasty, which played a significant role in Italian politics.

Deathyear: 1466

John of God

John of God (1495-1550), a Portuguese friar and saint, founded the Brothers Hospitallers Order in Lisbon. He dedicated his life to caring for the sick and poor, famously converting his family's estate into a hospital, exhibiting extraordinary devotion and humility.

Deathyear: 1550

Johannes Diderik van der Waals

Johannes Diderik van der Waals was a Dutch physicist and academic who made significant contributions to the field of thermodynamics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1910 for his groundbreaking work on the behavior of gases.

Deathyear: 1923

Karen Morley

Karen Morley was a talented American actress, born in 1909. She appeared in over 200 films, television shows, and stage productions, earning an Academy Award nomination for her role in "The Torch," and gained a loyal fan base for her versatility and striking looks.

Deathyear: 2003

Thomas Beecham

Sir Thomas Beecham was a renowned English conductor and composer, known for his innovative interpretations of classical music. Born in 1879, he founded the London Philharmonic Orchestra and led theRoyal Philharmonic Society.

Deathyear: 1961

John Ericsson

John Ericsson, a Swedish-American engineer, was born in 1803. He designed several notable ships, including the USS Monitor, the first ironclad warship in the US Navy. Ericsson's innovative designs and pioneering spirit had a lasting impact on the development of naval engineering.

Deathyear: 1889

Howie Morenz

Howie Morenz was a Canadian ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens from 1923 to 1937. A dynamic forward, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy three times and was a four-time Stanley Cup champion. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Deathyear: 1937

Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist-Schmenzin

Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist-Schmenzin was a German soldier and publisher born in 1922. He served on the Eastern Front during World War II and was imprisoned by the Soviets. After his release, he became a prominent publisher and was a vocal critic of Germany's Nazi past.

Deathyear: 2013

Urraca of León and Castile

Urraca of León and Castile was born in 1079 to King Alfonso VI of Castile and his daughter, Constance, making her the granddaughter of the famous king. Renowned for her beauty and wit, she became the Queen of León and Castile after marrying her uncle, King Alfonso VII.

Deathyear: 1126