On This Day — August 2

🕰️ Notable Events on August 2

• 2014 — At least 146 people were killed and more than 114 injured in a factory explosion in Kunshan, Jiangsu, China. Wikipedia ↗
• 2005 — Air France Flight 358 lands at Toronto Pearson International Airport and runs off the runway, causing the plane to burst into flames leaving 12 injuries and no fatalities. Wikipedia ↗
• 1999 — The Gaisal train disaster claims 285 lives in Assam, India. Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Iraq invades Kuwait, eventually leading to the Gulf War. Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Pakistan is re-admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations after having restored democracy for the first time since 1972. Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — A massacre is carried out by an Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka killing 64 ethnic Tamil civilians. Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Delta Air Lines Flight 191, a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, crashes at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport killing 137. Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — A bomb explodes at the railway station in Bologna, Italy, killing 85 people and wounding more than 200. Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — A flash fire kills 51 people at the Summerland amusement centre at Douglas, Isle of Man. Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — An earthquake hits Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines killing more than 270 people and wounding 261. Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — A British South American Airways Avro Lancastrian airliner crashes into a mountain during a flight from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile. The wreckage would not be found until 1998. Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — World War II: End of the Potsdam Conference. Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — ASNOM: Birth of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, celebrated as Day of the Republic in the Republic of Macedonia. Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — World War II: The largest trade convoy of the world wars arrives safely in the Western Approaches. Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Jewish prisoners stage a revolt at Treblinka, one of the deadliest of Nazi death camps where approximately 900,000 persons were murdered in less than 18 months. Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — World War II: The Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109 is rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri and sinks. Lt. John F. Kennedy, future U.S. President, saves all but two of his crew. Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard write a letter to Franklin D. Roosevelt, urging him to begin the Manhattan Project to develop a nuclear weapon. Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 is passed in America, the effect of which is to render marijuana and all its by-products illegal. Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Gleichschaltung: Adolf Hitler becomes Führer of Germany following the death of President Paul von Hindenburg. Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — The positron (antiparticle of the electron) is discovered by Carl D. Anderson. Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — Vice President Calvin Coolidge becomes U.S. President upon the death of President Warren G. Harding. Wikipedia ↗
• 1922 — A typhoon hits Shantou, Republic of China killing more than 50,000 people. Wikipedia ↗
• 1918 — The first general strike in Canadian history takes place in Vancouver. Wikipedia ↗
• 1916 — World War I: Austrian sabotage causes the sinking of the Italian battleship Leonardo da Vinci in Taranto. Wikipedia ↗
• 1914 — The German occupation of Luxembourg during World War I begins. Wikipedia ↗
• 1903 — The Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising against the Ottoman Empire begins. Wikipedia ↗
• 1897 — Anglo-Afghan War: The Siege of Malakand ends when a relief column is able to reach the British garrison in the Malakand states. Wikipedia ↗
• 1873 — The Clay Street Hill Railroad begins operating the first cable car in San Francisco's famous cable car system. Wikipedia ↗
• 1870 — Tower Subway, the world's first underground tube railway, opens in London, England, United Kingdom. Wikipedia ↗
• 1869 — Japan's Edo society class system is abolished as part of the Meiji Restoration reforms. Wikipedia ↗
• 1830 — Charles X of France abdicates the throne in favor of his grandson Henri. Wikipedia ↗
• 1798 — French Revolutionary Wars: The Battle of the Nile concludes in a British victory. Wikipedia ↗
• 1790 — The first United States Census is conducted. Wikipedia ↗
• 1776 — The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence took place. Wikipedia ↗
• 1610 — During Henry Hudson's search for the Northwest Passage, he sails into what is now known as Hudson Bay. Wikipedia ↗
• 1415 — Thomas Grey, conspirator against King Henry V, beheaded. Wikipedia ↗
• 1377 — Russian troops are defeated by forces of the Blue Horde Khan Arapsha in the Battle on Pyana River. Wikipedia ↗
• 1343 — After the execution of her husband, Jeanne de Clisson sells her estates and raises a force of men with which to attack French shipping and ports. Wikipedia ↗
• 1274 — Edward I of England returns from the Ninth Crusade and is crowned King seventeen days later. Wikipedia ↗
• 461 — Majorian is arrested near Tortona (northern Italy) and deposed by the Suebian general Ricimer as puppet emperor. Wikipedia ↗
• A Macedonian army led by Philip II defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the Battle of Chaeronea, securing Macedonian hegemony in Greece and the Aegean. Wikipedia ↗
• The Carthaginian army led by Hannibal defeats a numerically superior Roman army at the Battle of Cannae. Wikipedia ↗
• The armies of Titus destroy the Second Temple as the final blow of the Siege of Jerusalem. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on August 2

• 1995 — Kristaps Porziņģis, Latvian basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1994 — Laura Pigossi, Brazilian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1994 — Laremy Tunsil, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1992 — Hallie Eisenberg, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1992 — Charli XCX, English singer and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Ima Bohush, Belarusian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Nacer Chadli, Belgian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Rob Kwiet, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Alice Moran, Canadian actress and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Mathieu Razanakolona, Canadian skier Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Stephen Ferris, Irish rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — David Hart Smith, Canadian wrestler Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Britt Nicole (Brittany Nicole Waddell), American Christian pop artist Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Giampaolo Pazzini, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Michel Bastos, Brazilian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Kim Jung-ah, South Korean singer, dancer, and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Hélder Postiga, Portuguese footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Kerry Rhodes, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Grady Sizemore, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Alexander Emelianenko, Russian mixed martial artist and boxer Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Tim Murtagh, English cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Ivica Banović, Croatian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Dingdong Dantes, Filipino actor, singer, director, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Marco Bonura, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Reuben Kosgei, Kenyan runner Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Goran Gavrančić, Serbian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Matt Guerrier, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Deividas Šemberas, Lithuanian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Dragan Vukmir, Serbian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Edward Furlong, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Mark Velasquez, American photographer Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Reyes Estévez, Spanish runner Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Jay Heaps, American soccer player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Michael Weiss, American figure skater Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Sam Worthington, English-Australian actor and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Mohammad Zahid, Pakistani cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Mineiro, Brazilian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Xu Huaiwen, Chinese-German badminton player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Tamás Molnár, Hungarian water polo player Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Phil Williams, English journalist and radio host Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Hiroyuki Goto, Japanese game designer, created Kotoba no Puzzle: Mojipittan Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Danie Keulder, Namibian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Miguel Mendonca, Zimbabwean journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Susie O'Neill, Australian swimmer Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Mohamed Al-Deayea, Saudi Arabian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Jacinda Barrett, Australian model and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Jason Bell, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Michael Hughes, Irish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Tony Amonte, American ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Kevin Smith, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Philo Wallace, Barbadian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Cedric Ceballos, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Fernando Couto, Portuguese footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Jan Axel Blomberg, Norwegian drummer and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Stefan Effenberg, German footballer and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — John Stanier, American drummer Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Aaron Krickstein, American tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Aline Brosh McKenna, American screenwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Takashi Iizuka, Japanese wrestler Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Grainne Leahy, Irish cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Tim Wakefield, American baseball player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Joe Hockey, Australian lawyer and politician, 38th Treasurer of Australia Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Hisanobu Watanabe, Japanese baseball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Frank Biela, German race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Mary-Louise Parker, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Laura Bennett, American architect and fashion designer Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Uğur Tütüneker, Turkish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Lee Mavers, English singer, songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Pete de Freitas, Spanish drummer and producer (d. 1989) Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Linda Fratianne, American figure skater Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Neal Morse, American singer and keyboard player Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — David Yow, American singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Victoria Jackson, American actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Johnny Kemp, Bahamian singer-songwriter and producer (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Apollonia Kotero, American singer and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Fulvio Melia, Italian-American physicist, astrophysicist, and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Caleb Carr, American historian and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Tony Godden, English footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Butch Vig, American drummer, songwriter, and record producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Sammy McIlroy, Northern Irish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Donnie Munro, Scottish singer and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Anthony Seldon, English historian and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Andrew Gold, American singer-songwriter and producer (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Steve Hillage, English singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Joe Lynn Turner, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Per Westerberg, Swedish businessman and politician, Speaker of the Parliament of Sweden Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Jussi Adler-Olsen, Danish author and publisher Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Ted Turner, British guitarist (Wishbone Ash) Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — James Fallows, American journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Bertalan Farkas, Hungarian general and astronaut Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Andy Fairweather Low, Welsh singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Dennis Prager, American radio host and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — James Street, American football and baseball player (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Snoo Wilson, English playwright and screenwriter (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Ruth Bakke, Norwegian organist and composer Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Lawrence Wright, American journalist, author, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — James Howe, American journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Joanna Cassidy, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Alex Jesaulenko, Austrian-Australian footballer and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Bunker Roy, Indian educator and activist Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Eric Simms, Australian rugby league player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Jim Capaldi, English drummer and singer-songwriter (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Naná Vasconcelos, Brazilian singer and berimbau player (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Herbert M. Allison, American lieutenant and businessman (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Tom Burgmeier, American baseball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Jon R. Cavaiani, English-American sergeant, Medal of Honor recipient (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Rose Tremain, English novelist and short story writer Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Isabel Allende, Chilean-American novelist, essayist, essayist Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Juan Formell, Cuban singer-songwriter and bass player (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Nell Irvin Painter, American author and historian Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — Doris Coley, American singer (d. 2000) Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — Jules A. Hoffmann, Luxembourgian-French biologist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — François Weyergans, Belgian director and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Angel Lagdameo, Filipino archbishop Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Beko Ransome-Kuti, Nigerian physician and activist (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Will Tura, Belgian singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Benjamin Barber, American theorist, author, and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Wes Craven, American director, producer, and screenwriter (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — John W. Snow, American businessman and politician, 73rd United States Secretary of the Treasury Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Dave Balon, Canadian ice hockey player and coach (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Pierre de Bané, Israeli-Canadian lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Terry Peck, Falkland Islander soldier (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Ron Brierley, New Zealand businessman Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Billy Cannon, American football player and dentist Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Garth Hudson, Canadian keyboard player, songwriter, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1936 — Anthony Payne, English composer and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Hank Cochran, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Valery Bykovsky, Russian general and astronaut Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Ioannis Varvitsiotis, Greek politician, Greek Minister of Defence Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — Lamar Hunt, American businessman, co-founded the American Football League and World Championship Tennis (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — Peter O'Toole, British-Irish actor and producer (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Pierre DuMaine, American bishop and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Eddie Fuller, South African cricketer (d. 2008) Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Karl Miller, English journalist and critic (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Viliam Schrojf, Czech footballer (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Vali Myers, Australian painter and dancer (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Roy Crimmins, English trombonist and composer (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — John Gale, English director and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Vidya Charan Shukla, Indian politician, Indian Minister of External Affairs (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — David Waddington, Baron Waddington, English lawyer and politician, Governor of Bermuda (d. 2017) Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Malcolm Hilton, English cricketer (d. 1990) Wikipedia ↗
• 1927 — Peter Swinnerton-Dyer, English mathematician and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — K. Arulanandan, Ceylon-American engineer and academic (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — John Dexter, English director and producer (d. 1990) Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — John McCormack, Canadian ice hockey player (d. 2017) Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — Jorge Rafael Videla, Argentinian general and politician, 43rd President of Argentina (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — James Baldwin, American novelist, poet, and critic (d. 1987) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Joe Harnell, American pianist and composer (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Carroll O'Connor, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — Shimon Peres, Polish-Israeli lawyer and politician, 9th President of Israel (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — Ike Williams, American boxer (d. 1994) Wikipedia ↗
• 1922 — Betsy Bloomingdale, American philanthropist and socialite (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1922 — Geoffrey Dutton, Australian historian and author (d. 1998) Wikipedia ↗
• 1921 — Alan Whicker, Egyptian-English journalist (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Louis Pauwels, French journalist and author (d. 1997) Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Augustus Rowe, Canadian physician and politician (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1919 — Nehemiah Persoff, Israeli-American actor Wikipedia ↗

📅 National Days on August 2 (Calendar.cx)