On This Day — May 2

🕰️ Notable Events on May 2

• 2014 — Two mudslides in Badakhshan, Afghanistan, leave up to 2,500 people missing. Wikipedia ↗
• 2012 — A pastel version of The Scream, by Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, sells for $120 million in a New York City auction, setting a new world record for a work of art at auction. Wikipedia ↗
• 2011 — Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind behind the September 11 attacks and the FBI's most wanted man, is killed by the United States special forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Wikipedia ↗
• 2011 — An E. coli outbreak strikes Europe, mostly in Germany, leaving more than 30 people dead and many others sick from the bacteria outbreak. Wikipedia ↗
• 2011 — The 41st Canadian federal election is held, in which the governing Conservative Party, led by incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper, increases their number of seats from a minority to a majority. Wikipedia ↗
• 2008 — Cyclone Nargis makes landfall in Burma killing over 138,000 people and leaving millions of people homeless. Wikipedia ↗
• 2008 — Chaitén Volcano begins erupting in Chile, forcing the evacuation of more than 4,500 people. Wikipedia ↗
• 2004 — The Yelwa massacre concludes. It began on 4 February 2004 when armed Muslims killed 78 Christians at Yelwa. In response, about 630 Muslims were killed by Christians on May 2nd. Wikipedia ↗
• 2000 — President Bill Clinton announces that accurate GPS access would no longer be restricted to the United States military. Wikipedia ↗
• 1999 — Panamanian general election, 1999: Mireya Moscoso becomes the first woman to be elected President of Panama. Wikipedia ↗
• 1998 — The European Central Bank is founded in Brussels in order to define and execute the European Union's monetary policy. Wikipedia ↗
• 1995 — During the Croatian War of Independence, the Army of the Republic of Serb Krajina fires cluster bombs at Zagreb, killing seven and wounding over 175 civilians. Wikipedia ↗
• 1994 — A bus crashes in Gdańsk, Poland killing 32 people. Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Hungary begins dismantling its border fence with Austria, which allows a number of East Germans to defect. Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Chernobyl disaster: The City of Chernobyl is evacuated six days after the disaster. Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Falklands War: The British nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror sinks the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano. Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — In the early morning hours a fire breaks out at the Sunshine Mine located between Kellogg and Wallace, Idaho, killing 91 workers. Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — The British ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2 departs on her maiden voyage to New York City. Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Vietnam War: An explosion sinks the American aircraft carrier USS Card while it is docked at Saigon. A North Vietnamese frogman had placed a bomb on the ship. She is raised and returned to service less than seven months later. Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — First ascent of Shishapangma the fourteenth highest mountain in the world and the lowest of the Eight-thousanders. Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Berthold Seliger launches a rocket with three stages and a maximum flight altitude of more than 100 kilometres near Cuxhaven. It is the only sounding rocket developed in Germany. Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Tennessee Williams wins the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — The world's first ever jet airliner, the De Havilland Comet 1 makes its maiden flight, from London to Johannesburg. Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — World War II: Fall of Berlin: The Soviet Union announces the capture of Berlin and Soviet soldiers hoist their red flag over the Reichstag building. Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — World War II: Italian Campaign: General Heinrich von Vietinghoff signs the official instrument of surrender of all Wehrmacht forces in Italy. Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — World War II: The US 82nd Airborne Division liberates Wöbbelin concentration camp finding 1000 dead prisoners, most of whom starved to death. Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — World War II: A death march from Dachau to the Austrian border[1] is halted by the segregated, all-Nisei 522nd Field Artillery Battalion of the U.S. Army in southern Bavaria, saving several hundred prisoners.[2] Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — Following the coup d'état against Iraq Crown Prince 'Abd al-Ilah earlier that year, the United Kingdom launches the Anglo-Iraqi War to restore him to power. Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Gleichschaltung: Adolf Hitler bans trade unions. Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — The first game of the Negro National League baseball is played in Indianapolis. Wikipedia ↗
• 1918 — General Motors acquires the Chevrolet Motor Company of Delaware. Wikipedia ↗
• 1906 — Closing ceremony of the Intercalated Games in Athens, Greece. Wikipedia ↗
• 1889 — Menelik II, Emperor of Ethiopia, signs the Treaty of Wuchale, giving Italy control over Eritrea. Wikipedia ↗
• 1885 — Cree and Assiniboine warriors win the Battle of Cut Knife, their largest victory over Canadian forces during the North-West Rebellion. Wikipedia ↗
• 1885 — The Congo Free State is established by King Léopold II of Belgium. Wikipedia ↗
• 1879 — The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party is founded in Madrid by Pablo Iglesias. Wikipedia ↗
• 1876 — The April Uprising breaks out in Bulgaria. Wikipedia ↗
• 1866 — Peruvian defenders fight off the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Callao. Wikipedia ↗
• 1863 — American Civil War: Stonewall Jackson is wounded by friendly fire while returning to camp after reconnoitering during the Battle of Chancellorsville. He succumbs to pneumonia eight days later. Wikipedia ↗
• 1829 — After anchoring nearby, Captain Charles Fremantle of HMS Challenger, declares the Swan River Colony in Australia. Wikipedia ↗
• 1816 — Marriage of Léopold of Saxe-Coburg and Princess Charlotte of Wales. Wikipedia ↗
• 1812 — The Siege of Cuautla during the Mexican War of Independence ends with both sides claiming victory after Mexican rebels under José María Morelos y Pavón abandon the city after 72 days under siege by royalist Spanish troops under Félix María Calleja. Wikipedia ↗
• 1808 — Outbreak of the Peninsular War: The people of Madrid rise up in rebellion against French occupation. Francisco de Goya later memorializes this event in his painting The Second of May 1808. Wikipedia ↗
• 1672 — John Maitland becomes Duke of Lauderdale and Earl of March. Wikipedia ↗
• 1670 — King Charles II of England grants a permanent charter to the Hudson's Bay Company to open up the fur trade in North America. Wikipedia ↗
• 1611 — The King James Version of the Bible is published for the first time in London, England, by printer Robert Barker. Wikipedia ↗
• 1568 — Mary, Queen of Scots, escapes from Loch Leven Castle. Wikipedia ↗
• 1559 — John Knox returns from exile to Scotland to become the leader of the nascent Scottish Reformation. Wikipedia ↗
• 1536 — Anne Boleyn, Queen of England, is arrested and imprisoned on charges of adultery, incest, treason and witchcraft. Wikipedia ↗
• 1335 — Otto the Merry, Duke of Austria, becomes Duke of Carinthia. Wikipedia ↗
• 1230 — William de Braose is hanged by Prince Llywelyn the Great. Wikipedia ↗
• 1194 — King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on May 2

• 2015 — Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, British royal, and fourth in line to the British throne Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — Owain Doull, Welsh track cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — Isyana Sarasvati, Indonesian singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1992 — María Teresa Torró Flor, Spanish tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Jeong Jinwoon, South Korean actor and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Paul George, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Jeanette Pohlen, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Neftalí Feliz, Dominican baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Stephen Henderson, Irish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Nana Kitade, Japanese singer-songwriter and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Pat McAfee, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Kris Russell, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Lily Allen, English singer-songwriter and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Kyle Busch, American race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Ashley Harkleroad, American tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Sarah Hughes, American figure skater Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — David Nugent, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Saulius Mikoliūnas, Lithuanian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Thabo Sefolosha, Swiss basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Alessandro Diamanti, Italian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Maynor Figueroa, Honduran footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Tina Maze, Slovenian skier Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Daniel Sordo, Spanish race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Ove Vanebo, Norwegian politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Timothy Benjamin, Welsh sprinter Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Johan Botha, South African cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Robert Buckley, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Chris Kirkland, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Tiago Mendes, Portuguese footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Matt Murray, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Rina Satō, Japanese voice actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Tim Borowski, German footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Pierre-Luc Gagnon, Canadian skateboarder Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Ellie Kemper, American actress, comedian and writer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Zat Knight, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Artūras Masiulis, Lithuanian basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Troy Murphy, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Lassaâd Ouertani, Tunisian footballer (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Brad Richards, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Jason Chimera, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Ioannis Kanotidis, Greek footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Melvin Ely, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Mike Weaver, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Brian Cardinal, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Jan Fitschen, German runner Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Luke Hudson, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Fredrik Malm, Swedish journalist and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Jenna von Oÿ, American actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Jeff Gutt, American singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — David Beckham, English footballer, coach, and model Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Horacio Carbonari, Argentinian footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Andy Johnson, English-Welsh footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Janek Meet, Estonian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, German director and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Paul Adcock, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Ahti Heinla, Estonian programmer and businessman, co-developed Skype Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Dwayne Johnson, American-Canadian wrestler, actor, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Musashimaru Kōyō, Samoan-American sumo wrestler, the 67th Yokozuna Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Fatima Yusuf, Nigerian sprinter Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Marco Walker, Swiss footballer and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Brian Lara, Trinidadian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Jeff Agoos, Swiss-American soccer player, manager, and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Julia Hartley-Brewer, English broadcaster and columnist Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Ziana Zain, Malaysian singer-songwriter and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Bengt Åkerblom, Swedish ice hockey player (d. 1995) Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Mika Brzezinski, American journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — David Rocastle, English footballer (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Uwe Freiler, German footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Margus Kolga, Estonian diplomat Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Belinda Stronach, Canadian businesswoman, philanthropist, and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Félix José, Dominican-American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Elizabeth Berridge, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Jimmy White, English snooker player Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Steve James, English snooker player Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Sophie Thibault, Canadian journalist Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Phil Vickery, English chef and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Stephen Daldry, English director and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Alan Best, Canadian animator, director, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Tony Wakeford, English singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Yasushi Akimoto, Japanese songwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Stanislav Levý, Czech footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — David O'Leary, English-Irish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Régis Labeaume, Canadian businessman and politician, 41st Mayor of Quebec City Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Donatella Versace, Italian fashion designer Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Elliot Goldenthal, American composer and conductor Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Dawn Primarolo, English politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Stephen Venables, English mountaineer and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Valery Gergiev, Russian conductor and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Chris Anderson, Australian rugby league player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Christine Baranski, American actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Isla St Clair, Scottish singer and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — John Glascock, English singer and bass player (d. 1979) Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Simon Gaskell, English chemist and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Duncan Gay, Australian businessman and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Lou Gramm, American singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Richard Ground, English lawyer and judge (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Alan Titchmarsh, English gardener and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Larry Gatlin, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — James Dyson, English businessman, founded the Dyson Company Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Lynda Myles, English screenwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Peter L. Benson, American psychologist and academic (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Lesley Gore, American singer-songwriter (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — David Suchet, English actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Randy Cain, American soul singer (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Judge Dread, English singer-songwriter (d. 1998) Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Bianca Jagger, Nicaraguan-American model, actress, and activist Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Goldy McJohn, Canadian keyboard player Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Robert G. W. Anderson, English chemist, historian, and curator Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Jacques Rogge, Belgian businessman Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — Tony Adamowicz, American race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — Bruce Cameron, Scottish bishop Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — Clay Carroll, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Sumio Iijima, Japanese physicist and engineer Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho (d. 1996) Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Klaus Enders, German motorcycle sidecar racer Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Lorenzo Music, American actor, producer, and screenwriter (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
• 1936 — Norma Aleandro, Argentinian actress, director, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1936 — Engelbert Humperdinck, English singer and pianist Wikipedia ↗
• 1936 — Michael Rabin, American violinist (d. 1972) Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Luis Suárez Miramontes, Spanish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Faisal II of Iraq, the last King of Iraq (d.1958) Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Bunk Gardner, American musician Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Harry Woolf, Baron Woolf, English lawyer and judge, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — Maury Allen, American journalist, actor, and author (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Phil Bruns, American actor and stuntman (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Martha Grimes, American author and poet Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Yoram Kaniuk, Israeli painter and critic (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Marco Pannella, Italian journalist and politician (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Édouard Balladur, Turkish-French economist and politician, 162nd Prime Minister of France Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — James Dillion, American discus thrower (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Link Wray, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Hans Trass, Estonian ecologist and botanist (d. 2017) Wikipedia ↗
• 1927 — Ray Barrett, Australian actor and singer (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
• 1927 — Amos Kenan, Israeli columnist, painter, sculptor, playwright and novelist (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
• 1926 — Gérard D. Levesque, Canadian lawyer and politician, 5th Deputy Premier of Quebec (d. 1993) Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — John Neville, English-Canadian actor (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Jamal Abro, Pakistani lawyer and author (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Theodore Bikel, Austrian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Hugh Cortazzi, English soldier, historian, and diplomat, British Ambassador to Japan Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — Patrick Hillery, Irish physician and politician, 6th President of Ireland (d. 2008) Wikipedia ↗
• 1922 — Roscoe Lee Browne, American actor and director (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
• 1922 — A. M. Rosenthal, Canadian-born American journalist and author (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
• 1921 — Satyajit Ray, Indian director, producer, and screenwriter (d. 1992) Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Jean-Marie Auberson, Swiss violinist and conductor (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Otto Buchsbaum, Austrian-Brazilian journalist and activist (d. 2000) Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Vasantrao Deshpande, Indian singer and sitar player (d. 1983) Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Guinn Smith, American pole vaulter, soldier, and pilot (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1917 — Albert Castelyns, Belgian water polo player and bobsledder Wikipedia ↗

📅 National Days on May 2 (Calendar.cx)

Also observed on May 2

🏛️ Public Holidays

Also in: Day of Madrid (ES) · 劳动节 (CN)

🏀 Sports

• WNBA: Toronto Tempo @ Minnesota Lynx — 00:00
• MLB: Toronto Blue Jays @ Minnesota Twins — 00:10
• MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers @ St. Louis Cardinals — 00:15
• MLB: Atlanta Braves @ Colorado Rockies — 00:40
• NBA: Los Angeles Lakers @ Houston Rockets — 01:30
• MLB: New York Mets @ Los Angeles Angels — 01:38