Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a noted philosopher, professor and free India's first Vice President, was born on September 5, 1888. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1954. Dr Radhakrishnan became India's second President in 1962 and his birthday has been celebrated as Teachers' Day in the country since then. He died on May 13, 1967.