On This Day — December 2

🕰️ Notable Events on December 2

• 2016 — 36 people die in a fire at a converted Oakland, California, warehouse serving as an artist collective. Wikipedia ↗
• 2015 — San Bernardino attack: Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik kill 14 people and wound 22 at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. Wikipedia ↗
• 2001 — Enron files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Wikipedia ↗
• 1999 — The United Kingdom devolves political power in Northern Ireland to the Northern Ireland Executive following the Good Friday Agreement. Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar is shot and killed in Medellín. Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — Space Shuttle program: STS-61: NASA launches the Space Shuttle Endeavour on a mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Canada and Poland become the first nations to recognize the independence of Ukraine from the Soviet Union. Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Benazir Bhutto is sworn in as Prime Minister of Pakistan, becoming the first woman to head the government of an Islam-dominated state. Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — At the University of Utah, Barney Clark becomes the first person to receive a permanent artificial heart. Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Salvadoran Civil War: Four American missionaries are raped and murdered by a death squad. Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Fidel Castro becomes President of Cuba, replacing Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado. Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Laotian Civil War: The Pathet Lao seizes the Laotian capital of Vientiane, forces the abdication of King Sisavang Vatthana, and proclaims the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, and Umm al-Quwain form the United Arab Emirates. Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — The United States Environmental Protection Agency begins operations. Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Vietnam War: After a trip to Vietnam at the request of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield becomes the first American official to comment adversely on the war's progress. Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — In a nationally broadcast speech, Cuban leader Fidel Castro declares that he is a Marxist-Leninist and that Cuba is going to adopt Communism. Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — The Granma reaches the shores of Cuba's Oriente Province. Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and 80 other members of the 26th of July Movement disembark to initiate the Cuban Revolution. Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Cold War: The United States Senate votes 65 to 22 to censure Joseph McCarthy for "conduct that tends to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute". Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — The Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty, between the United States and Taiwan, is signed in Washington, D.C. Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Korean War: Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River ended, with decisive Chinese victory, UN forces were completely expelled from North Korea. Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Jerusalem Riots of 1947: Riots break out in Jerusalem in response to the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine. Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — World War II: A Luftwaffe bombing raid on the harbour of Bari, Italy, sinks numerous cargo and transport ships, including the American SS John Harvey, which is carrying a stockpile of World War I-era mustard gas. Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — World War II: During the Manhattan Project, a team led by Enrico Fermi initiates the first artificial self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — New York City's LaGuardia Airport opens. Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Great Depression: In a State of the Union message, U.S. President Herbert Hoover proposes a $150 million (equivalent to $2,150,000,000 in 2016) public works program to help generate jobs and stimulate the economy. Wikipedia ↗
• 1927 — Following 19 years of Ford Model T production, the Ford Motor Company unveils the Ford Model A as its new automobile. Wikipedia ↗
• 1917 — World War I: Russia and the Central Powers sign an armistice at Brest-Litovsk, and peace talks leading to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk begin. Wikipedia ↗
• 1908 — Puyi becomes Emperor of China at the age of two. Wikipedia ↗
• 1899 — Philippine-American War: The Battle of Tirad Pass, termed "The Filipino Thermopylae", is fought. Wikipedia ↗
• 1867 — At Tremont Temple in Boston, British author Charles Dickens gives his first public reading in the United States. Wikipedia ↗
• 1859 — Militant abolitionist leader John Brown is hanged for his October 16 raid on Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Wikipedia ↗
• 1852 — Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte becomes Emperor of the French as Napoleon III. Wikipedia ↗
• 1851 — French President Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte overthrows the Second Republic. Wikipedia ↗
• 1848 — Franz Joseph I becomes Emperor of Austria. Wikipedia ↗
• 1845 — Manifest destiny: In a State of the Union message, U.S. President James K. Polk proposes that the United States should aggressively expand into the West. Wikipedia ↗
• 1823 — Monroe Doctrine: In a State of the Union message, U.S. President James Monroe proclaims American neutrality in future European conflicts, and warns European powers not to interfere in the Americas. Wikipedia ↗
• 1805 — War of the Third Coalition: Battle of Austerlitz: French troops under Napoleon Bonaparte decisively defeat a joint Russo-Austrian force. Wikipedia ↗
• 1804 — At Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself Emperor of the French. Wikipedia ↗
• 1775 — The USS Alfred becomes the first vessel to fly the Grand Union Flag (the precursor to the Stars and Stripes); the flag is hoisted by John Paul Jones. Wikipedia ↗
• 1763 — Dedication of the Touro Synagogue, in Newport, Rhode Island, the first synagogue in what will become the United States. Wikipedia ↗
• 1697 — St Paul's Cathedral is consecrated in London. Wikipedia ↗
• 1409 — The University of Leipzig opens. Wikipedia ↗
• 1244 — Pope Innocent IV arrives at Lyon for the First Council of Lyon Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on December 2

• 1995 — Uladzislau Hancharou, Belarusian trampolinist Wikipedia ↗
• 1994 — Fumika Shimizu, Japanese actress and model Wikipedia ↗
• 1994 — Cauley Woodrow, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — Haruka Ishida, Japanese singer and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — Kostas Stafylidis, Greek footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1992 — Gary Sanchez, Dominican baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Chloé Dufour-Lapointe, Canadian skier Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Charlie Puth, American singer-songwriter and pianist Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Ghanaian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Jamille Matt, Jamaican footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Gastón Ramírez, Uruguayan footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Fausto Rossi, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Hikaru Yaotome, Japanese idol, singer, model and actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Etta Bond, English singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Cassie Steele, Canadian singer-songwriter and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Stephen McGinn, Scottish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Edson Décimo Alves Araújo, Brazilian footballer (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Veronika Kapshay, Ukrainian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Claudiu Keșerü, Romanian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Adam le Fondre, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Tal Wilkenfeld, Australian bass player and composer Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Amaury Leveaux, French swimmer Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Dorell Wright, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Péter Máté, Hungarian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Chris Burke, Scottish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Bibiana Candelas, Mexican volleyball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Jaime Durán, Mexican footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Jana Kramer, American actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Aaron Rodgers, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Daniela Ruah, Portuguese-American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Christos Karipidis, Greek footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Matt Ware, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Maria Ferekidi, Greek canoe racer Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Eric Jungmann, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Danijel Pranjić, Croatian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Britney Spears, American singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Adam Kreek, Canadian rower Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Darryn Randall, South African cricketer (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Yvonne Catterfeld, German singer-songwriter and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Michael McIndoe, Scottish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Abdul Razzaq, Pakistani cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Jarron Collins, American basketball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Jason Collins, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Nelly Furtado, Canadian singer-songwriter, producer, and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Luigi Malafronte, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Peter Moylan, Australian baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Maëlle Ricker, Canadian snowboarder Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — David Rivas, Spanish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Andrew Ryan, Australian rugby league player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Christopher Wolstenholme, English singer-songwriter and bass player Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Siyabonga Nomvethe, South African footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Eddy Garabito, Dominican baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Masafumi Gotoh, Japanese singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Mark Kotsay, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Graham Kavanagh, Irish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Lee Steele, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Monica Seles, Serbian-American tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Jan Ullrich, German cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Sergejs Žoltoks, Latvian ice hockey player (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Wilson Jermaine Heredia, American actor and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Rachel McQuillan, Australian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Jüri Reinvere, Estonian-German composer and poet Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Francesco Toldo, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Mine Yoshizaki, Japanese illustrator Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Maksim Tarasov, Russian pole vaulter Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Treach, American rapper (Naughty By Nature) and actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Yang Hyun-suk, South Korean singer-songwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Pavel Loskutov, Estonian runner Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Ulrika Bergquist, Swedish journalist Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Tanya Plibersek, Australian journalist and politician, 45th Australian Minister of Health Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Chris Kiwomya, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — David Batty, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Darryl Kile, American baseball player (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Lucy Liu, American actress and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Nate Mendel, American singer-songwriter and bass player Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Rena Sofer, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Mary Creagh, English scholar and politician, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Philippe Etchebest, French chef and television host Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Jinsei Shinzaki, Japanese wrestler and promoter, co-founded Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Shane Flanagan, Australian rugby league player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Brendan Coyle, English actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Ann Patchett, American author Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Rich Sutter, Canadian ice hockey player and scout Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Ron Sutter, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — John Dyegh, Nigerian businessman and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Peter Blakeley, Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Rick Savage, English singer-songwriter and bass player Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Kelefa Diallo, Guinean general (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Andrew George, English politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Vladimir Parfenovich, Belarusian canoe racer and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — George Saunders, American short story writer and essayist Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Dagfinn Høybråten, Norwegian political scientist and politician, Norwegian Minister of Health Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Steven Bauer, Cuban-American actor and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Dan Butler, American actor, director, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Carol Shea-Porter, American social worker, academic, and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Amin Saikal, Afghan-Australian political scientist and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Benjamin Stora, Algerian-French historian and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Paul Watson, Canadian activist, founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Elizabeth Berg, American nurse and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — T. Coraghessan Boyle, American novelist and short story writer Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Patricia Hewitt, Australian-English educator and politician, Secretary of State for Health Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Toninho Horta, Brazilian guitarist and composer Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Isaac Bitton, Moroccan-French drummer and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Tommy Jenkins, English footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Ivan Atanassov Petrov, Bulgarian neurologist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — John Banks, New Zealand businessman and politician, 38th Mayor of Auckland City Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Pedro Borbón, Dominican-American baseball player (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — David Macaulay, English-American author and illustrator Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Gianni Versace, Italian fashion designer, founded Versace (d. 1997) Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Penelope Spheeris, American director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Alan Thomson, Australian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Ibrahim Rugova, Kosovan journalist and politician, 1st President of Kosovo (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Dionysis Savvopoulos, Greek singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Botho Strauß, German author and playwright Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Wayne Allard, American veterinarian and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Anna G. Jónasdóttir, Icelandic political scientist and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — Mike England, Welsh footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Willie Brown, American football player, coach, and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Yael Dayan, Israeli journalist, author, and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Francis Fox, Canadian lawyer and politician, 48th Secretary of State for Canada Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Harry Reid, American lawyer and politician, 25th Lieutenant Governor of Nevada Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Manohar Joshi, Indian lawyer and politician, 15th Chief Minister of Maharashtra Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — David Hackett Fischer, American historian, author, and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Tarcisio Bertone, Italian cardinal Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Andre Rodgers, Bahamian baseball player (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Peter Robin Harding, English marshal and pilot Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Mike Larrabee, American sprinter and educator (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Nigel Calder, English journalist, author, and screenwriter (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Masaaki Hatsumi, Japanese martial artist and educator, founded Bujinkan Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Wynton Kelly, American pianist and composer (d. 1971) Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Edwin Meese, American colonel, lawyer, and politician, 75th United States Attorney General Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Gary Becker, American economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — David Piper, English race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Dan Jenkins, American journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Leon Litwack, American historian and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Guy Bourdin, French photographer (d. 1991) Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — Julie Harris, American actress (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Jonathan Frid, Canadian actor (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Alexander Haig, American general and politician, 59th United States Secretary of State (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Else Marie Pade, Danish composer (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Vilgot Sjöman, Swedish actor, director, producer, and screenwriter (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — Maria Callas, American-Greek soprano and actress (d. 1977) Wikipedia ↗
• 1922 — Iakovos Kambanelis, Greek author, poet, and screenwriter (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
• 1921 — Carlo Furno, Italian cardinal (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1917 — Sylvia Syms, American singer (d. 1992) Wikipedia ↗
• 1916 — Howard Finster, American minister and painter (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
• 1915 — Takahito, Prince Mikasa of Japan (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1914 — Bill Erwin, American actor (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1914 — Adolph Green, American playwright and composer (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗
• 1913 — Marc Platt, American actor, singer, and dancer (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1912 — George Emmett, English cricketer and coach (d. 1976) Wikipedia ↗
• 1910 — Russell Lynes, American photographer, historian, and author (d. 1991) Wikipedia ↗
• 1910 — Taisto Mäki, Finnish runner (d. 1979) Wikipedia ↗
• 1909 — Arvo Askola, Finnish runner (d. 1975) Wikipedia ↗
• 1909 — Walenty Kłyszejko, Estonian-Polish basketball player and coach (d. 1987) Wikipedia ↗
• 1909 — Joseph P. Lash, American activist and author (d. 1987) Wikipedia ↗
• 1906 — Peter Carl Goldmark, Hungarian-American engineer (d. 1977) Wikipedia ↗

📅 National Days on December 2 (Calendar.cx)

Also observed on December 2

🏛️ Public Holidays

Also in: اليوم الوطني (AE)