Top 10 March 9 Birthdays
Somewhat Honorable Mention: March 9, 1943: Bobby Fischer. Through being a teenage prodigy at the game, and winning the World Championship by defeating the titleholder, a Soviet, in 1972, he may have inspired more people to take an interest in chess than any other person, living or dead. But his decline into mental illness and noxious bigotry tarnished his legacy. 10. March 9, 1954: Bobby Sands. The British called him a terrorist. The Irish called him a freedom fighter. The Catholic people of Belfast elected him to the British Parliament while he was in prison for a crime he may not have committed. He went on a hunger strike, for better treatment for the prisoners, including blankets during the cold Winter of 1980-81. The government, led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, wouldn't allow it. They were willing to let a Member of Parliament die rather than let prisoners be treated like human beings. After 66 days without food, Sands died. I don't know if he was innocent or gui...