What happened on April 2? There are more than 250 events that were made this day in history. Here are the important historical events, facts, and some myths about this day.

Interesting Facts & Myths About April 2

April 2 In HistoryApril 2 is the 93rd day of the year 2024. There are 273 days remaining until the end of this year. The day of the week is Tuesday. This day falls under the 14th week of the year 2024.

On this day in Jamestown, Missouri 65046 sunrise will occur at 06:50 AM and sunset will occur at 07:36 PM (local time).

The zodiac sign of a person born on this day is Aries. The modern birthstone for this month is Diamond while the mystical birthstone is Opal.

According to the Chinese calendar, there are 302 days remaining before the start of the next Chinese New Year (January 29, 2025).

Birthday curiousity Is your birthday coming up in two days? Are you not curious to find out who is sharing your special day? Discover all the March 30 famous birthdays. There are fun facts about that day that you must know. (Sponsored link)

Historical Events For April 2

  • 1755
    Commodore William James captures the pirate fortress of Suvarnadurg on west coast of India.
  • 1792
    The Coinage Act is passed establishing the United States Mint.
  • 1800
    Ludwig van Beethoven leads the premiere of his First Symphony in Vienna.
  • 1801
    Napoleonic Wars: Battle of Copenhagen – The British destroy the Danish fleet.
  • 1851
    Rama IV is crowned King of Thailand.
  • 1863
    Richmond Bread Riot: Food shortages incite hundreds of angry women to riot in Richmond, Virginia and demand that the Confederate government release emergency supplies.
  • 1865
    American Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis and most of his Cabinet flee the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia.
  • 1865
    American Civil War: The Siege of Petersburg is broken – Union troops capture the trenches around Petersburg, Virginia, forcing Confederate General Robert E. Lee to retreat.
  • 1885
    Cree warriors attacked the village of Frog Lake, North-West Territories, Canada, killing 9.
  • 1900
    The Congress passes the Foraker Act, giving Puerto Rico limited self-rule.
  • 1902
    “Electric Theatre”, the first full-time movie theater in the United States, opens in Los Angeles, California.
  • 1902
    Dmitry Sipyagin, Minister of Interior of the Russian Empire, is assassinated in the Marie Palace, St Petersburg.
  • 1911
    The Australian Bureau of Statistics conducts the country’s first national census.
  • 1917
    World War I: President Woodrow Wilson asks the U.S. Congress for a declaration of war on Germany.
  • 1930
    After the mysterious death of Empress Zewditu, Haile Selassie is proclaimed emperor of Ethiopia.
  • 1945
    Diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and Brazil are established.
  • 1956
    As the World Turns and The Edge of Night premiere on CBS-TV. The two soaps become the first daytime dramas to debut in the 30-minute format.
  • 1962
    The first official Panda crossing is opened outside Waterloo station, London.
  • 1972
    Actor Charlie Chaplin returns to the United States for the first time since being labeled a communist during the Red Scare in the early 1950s.
  • 1973
    Launch of the LexisNexis computerized legal research service.
  • 1973
    The Liberal Movement breaks away from the Liberal and Country League in South Australia.
  • 1975
    Construction of the CN Tower is completed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It reaches 553.33 m in height, becoming the world’s tallest free-standing structure.
  • 1975
    Vietnam War: Thousands of civilian refugees flee from the Quang Ngai Province in front of advancing North Vietnamese troops.
  • 1980
    President Jimmy Carter signs the Crude Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act in an effort to help the U.S. economy rebound.
  • 1982
    Falklands War: Argentina invades the Falkland Islands.
  • 1984
    Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma is launched aboard Soyuz T-11, and becomes the first Indian in space.
  • 1989
    Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev arrives in Havana, Cuba to meet with Fidel Castro in an attempt to mend strained relations.
  • 1991
    Rita Johnston becomes the first female Premier of a Canadian province when she succeeds William Vander Zalm (who had resigned) as Premier of British Columbia.
  • 1992
    In New York, Mafia boss John Gotti is convicted of murder and racketeering and is later sentenced to life in prison.
  • 2002
    Israeli forces surround the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem into which armed Palestinians had retreated. A siege ensues.
  • 2004
    Islamist terrorists involved in the 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks attempt to bomb the Spanish high-speed train AVE near Madrid. Their attack is thwarted.
  • 2006
    Over 60 tornadoes break out in the United States; hardest hit is in Tennessee with 29 people killed.

Who Were Born On April 2?

  • 742
    Charlemagne (d. 814)
  • 1527
    Abraham Ortelius, Flemish cartographer and geographer (d. 1598)
  • 1545
    Elisabeth of Valois, third wife of Philip II of Spain (d. 1568)
  • 1565
    Cornelis de Houtman, Dutch explorer (d. 1599)
  • 1614
    Jahanara Begum Sahib, daughter of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal (d. 1681)
  • 1618
    Francesco Maria Grimaldi, Italian mathematician and physicist (d. 1663)
  • 1647
    Maria Sibylla Merian, German botanist (d. 1717)
  • 1653
    Prince George of Denmark, prince consort of Anne of England (d. 1708)
  • 1719
    Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim, German poet (d. 1803)
  • 1725
    Giacomo Casanova, Italian adventurer and writer (d. 1798)
  • 1781
    Bhagwan Swaminarayan, religious leader (d. 1830)
  • 1788
    Francisco Balagtas, Filipino poet (d. 1862)
  • 1788
    Wilhelmine Reichard, first German women balloonist (d. 1848)
  • 1798
    August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben, German poet (d. 1874)
  • 1805
    Hans Christian Andersen, Danish writer (d. 1875)
  • 1814
    Erastus Brigham Bigelow, American inventor (d. 1879)
  • 1827
    William Holman Hunt, English painter (d. 1910)
  • 1838
    Léon Gambetta, French statesman (d. 1882)
  • 1840
    Émile Zola, French novelist and critic (d. 1902)
  • 1841
    Clément Ader, French aviation pioneer (d. 1926)
  • 1861
    Iván Persa, Hungarian Slovene writer and catholic priest (d. 1935)
  • 1862
    Nicholas Murray Butler, president of Columbia University, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (d. 1947)
  • 1867
    Eugen Sandow, German bodybuilder and circus performer (d. 1925)
  • 1869
    Hughie Jennings, American baseball player and manager (d. 1928)
  • 1875
    Walter Chrysler, American automobile pioneer (d. 1940)
  • 1884
    Sir John Squire, British poet, writer, and historian (d. 1958)
  • 1891
    Jack Buchanan, Scottish actor, singer, producer and director (d. 1957)
  • 1891
    Max Ernst, German painter (d. 1976)
  • 1900
    Roberto Arlt, Argentine writer (d. 1942)
  • 1902
    Jan Tschichold, German typographer (d. 1974)
  • 1903
    Lionel Chevrier, Canadian politician (d. 1987)
  • 1907
    Luke Appling, American baseball player (d. 1991)
  • 1908
    Buddy Ebsen, American actor and dancer (d. 2003)
  • 1910
    Francisco Cândido Xavier, Most popular Brazilian medium (d. 2002)
  • 1910
    Paul Triquet, Canadian military officer (d. 1980)
  • 1912
    Herbert Mills, American singer (The Mills Brothers) (d. 1989)
  • 1914
    Sir Alec Guinness, English actor (d. 2000)
  • 1917
    Dabbs Greer, American actor (d. 2007)
  • 1917
    Lou Monte, American singer (d. 1989)
  • 1920
    Jack Webb, American actor, director, and producer (d. 1982)
  • 1923
    Clifford Scott Green, American Federal Judge (d. 2007)
  • 1923
    G. Spencer-Brown, English mathematician
  • 1923
    Gloria Henry, American actress
  • 1925
    George MacDonald Fraser, English author (d. 2008)
  • 1926
    Sir Jack Brabham, Australian race car driver
  • 1927
    Ferenc Puskás, Hungarian footballer (d. 2006)
  • 1927
    Kenneth Tynan, English critic and writer (d. 1980)
  • 1928
    Joseph Bernardin, American cardinal (d. 1996)
  • 1928
    Prof David Robinson, Irish horticulturist (d. 2004)
  • 1928
    Serge Gainsbourg, French singer (d. 1991)
  • 1930
    Roddy Maude-Roxby, English actor
  • 1932
    Edward Egan, Cardinal-Archbishop Emeritus of New York
  • 1933
    György Konrád, Hungarian Jewish author, sociologist, essayist
  • 1934
    Brian Glover, British actor and wrestler (d. 1997)
  • 1934
    Carl Kasell, American newscaster
  • 1934
    Paul Joseph Cohen, American mathematician (d. 2007)
  • 1937
    Dick Radatz, American baseball player (d. 2005)
  • 1938
    Booker Little, American jazz trumpeter (d. 1961)
  • 1938
    John Larsson, 17th General of The Salvation Army
  • 1939
    Anthony Lake, American political figure
  • 1939
    Lise Thibault, Lieutenant-governor of Quebec
  • 1939
    Marvin Gaye, American singer (d. 1984)
  • 1940
    Penelope Keith, English actress
  • 1941
    Dr. Demento, American radio personality
  • 1942
    Hiroyuki Sakai, Japanese chef
  • 1942
    Leon Russell, American blues-rock pianist/guitarist
  • 1942
    Roshan Seth, Indian actor
  • 1943
    Caterina Bueno, Italian singer (d. 2007)
  • 1945
    Anne Waldman, American poet
  • 1945
    Don Sutton, American baseball player
  • 1945
    Linda Hunt, American actress
  • 1945
    Reggie Smith, American baseball player
  • 1946
    Judith A. Lanzinger, American jurist, Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio
  • 1946
    Kurt Winter, Canadian guitarist (The Guess Who) (d. 1997)
  • 1947
    Camille Paglia, American feminist writer
  • 1947
    Emmylou Harris, American singer
  • 1947
    Sam Anderson, American actor
  • 1948
    Dimitris Mitropanos, Greek singer
  • 1948
    Joan D. Vinge, American author
  • 1949
    David Robinson, American musician
  • 1949
    Pamela Reed, American actress
  • 1949
    Paul Gambaccini, British television presenter
  • 1949
    Ron Palillo, American actor
  • 1951
    Ayako Okamoto, Japanese golfer
  • 1951
    Moriteru Ueshiba, Japanese martial artist
  • 1952
    Leon Wilkeson, American rock bassist (Lynyrd Skynyrd) (d. 2001)
  • 1952
    Pat Drummond, Australian singer-songwriter
  • 1952
    Thierry Le Luron, French humorist (d. 1986)
  • 1953
    Debralee Scott, American actress (d. 2005)
  • 1953
    Jim Allister, Northern Irish politician
  • 1954
    Donald Petrie, American film director
  • 1954
    Susumu Hirasawa, Japanese electropop musician
  • 1955
    Michael Stone, British terrorist
  • 1957
    Giuliana De Sio, Italian actress
  • 1958
    Larry Drew, American basketball player
  • 1958
    Stefano Bettarello, Italian rugby player
  • 1959
    Badou Zaki, Morrocan footballer and manager
  • 1959
    Juha Kankkunen, Finnish race car driver
  • 1959
    Yves Lavandier, French film director
  • 1960
    Brad Jones, Australian racing driver
  • 1960
    Linford Christie, English athlete
  • 1961
    Christopher Meloni, American actor
  • 1961
    Keren Woodward, English singer (Bananarama)
  • 1962
    Clark Gregg, American actor
  • 1962
    Mark Shulman, American children’s author
  • 1962
    Pierre Carles, French documentarist
  • 1963
    Karl Beattie, English television director and producer
  • 1963
    Mike Gascoyne, British engineer
  • 1964
    Pete Incaviglia, American baseball player
  • 1965
    Rodney King, American victim of police brutality
  • 1966
    Bill Romanowski, American football player
  • 1966
    Garnett Silk, Jamaican singer (d. 1994)
  • 1966
    Teddy Sheringham, English footballer
  • 1967
    Greg Camp, American musician (Smash Mouth)
  • 1967
    Helen Chamberlain, British television presenter
  • 1969
    Ajay Devgan, Indian actor
  • 1971
    Elton, German comedian
  • 1971
    Todd Woodbridge, Australian tennis player
  • 1971
    ZEEBRA, Japanese hip hop artist
  • 1972
    Chico Slimani, Moroccan-British singer
  • 1973
    Roselyn Sánchez, Puerto Rican singer, model and actress
  • 1973
    Tine Wittler, German TV presenter and writer
  • 1974
    Håkan Hellström, Swedish musician
  • 1975
    Adam Rodriguez, American actor
  • 1975
    Katrin Rutschow-Stomporowski, German rower
  • 1975
    Randy Livingston, American basketball player
  • 1976
    Andreas Anastasopoulos, Greek shot putter
  • 1976
    Rory Sabbatini, South African golfer
  • 1977
    Aiden Turner, British actor
  • 1977
    Jelena Abbou, Serbian fitness model
  • 1977
    Michael Fassbender, actor
  • 1978
    John Gall, American baseball player
  • 1979
    Jesse Carmichael, American musician (Maroon 5)
  • 1979
    Lindy Booth, Canadian actress
  • 1980
    Adam Fleming, English reporter
  • 1980
    Carlos Salcido, Mexican footballer
  • 1980
    Cristian Lizzori, Italian footballer
  • 1980
    Ricky Hendrick, NASCAR driver and owner (d. 2004)
  • 1981
    Bethany Joy Lenz-Galeotti, American actress
  • 1981
    Michael Clarke, Australian cricketer
  • 1982
    Bianca Chatfield, Australian netballer
  • 1982
    Jack Evans, American professional wrestler
  • 1982
    Jeremy Bloom, American skier and football player
  • 1982
    Leyla Milani, Canadian actress and model
  • 1982
    Marco Amelia, Italian footballer
  • 1983
    Felix Borja, Ecuadorian footballer
  • 1983
    Owen Fussey, Canadian ice hockey player
  • 1983
    Paul Capdeville, Chilean tennis player
  • 1983
    Yung Joc, American rapper
  • 1984
    Ashley Peldon, American actress
  • 1984
    Jérémy Morel, French footballer
  • 1984
    Meryl Cassie, New Zealand actress
  • 1984
    Nóra Barta, Hungarian diver
  • 1985
    Stéphane Lambiel, Swiss figure skater
  • 1986
    Ibrahim Afellay, Dutch footballer
  • 1986
    Lee DeWyze, American singer
  • 1990
    Amy Castle, American actress
  • 1990
    Felipe Chalegre, Brazilian footballer
  • 1990
    Jeffery Johnson, Jr., American rapper
  • 1990
    Miralem Pjanić, Bosnian footballer
  • 1993
    Aaron Kelly, American singer

Who Died On April 2?

  • 1118
    Baldwin I of Jerusalem, King of Jerusalem (b. c. 1058)
  • 1272
    Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall, Holy Roman Emperor (b. 1209)
  • 1335
    Duke Henry of Carinthia (b. c. 1265)
  • 1412
    Ruy Gonzáles de Clavijo, Spanish traveler and writer
  • 1502
    Prince Arthur Tudor, son of Henry VII of England (b. 1486)
  • 1507
    Francis of Paola, Italian founder of the Order of the Minims (b. 1416)
  • 1640
    Maciej Kazimierz Sarbiewski, Polish author and prominent Latin poet (b. 1595)
  • 1657
    Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor (b. 1608)
  • 1657
    Jean-Jacques Olier – French catholic priest, founder of the Society of Saint-Sulpice (b. 1608)
  • 1720
    Joseph Dudley, colonial Governor of Massachusetts (b. 1647)
  • 1742
    James Douglas, Scottish physician and anatomist (b. 1675)
  • 1747
    Johann Jacob Dillenius, German botanist (b. 1684)
  • 1754
    Thomas Carte, English historian (b. 1686)
  • 1787
    Thomas Gage, British general (b. 1719)
  • 1791
    Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, French statesman (b. 1749)
  • 1801
    Thomas Dadford Junior, British canal engineer (b. c. 1761)
  • 1803
    Sir James Montgomery, 1st Baronet, Scottish politician and judge (b. 1721)
  • 1817
    Johann Heinrich Jung, German author (b. 1740)
  • 1827
    Ludwig Heinrich Bojanus, German physician and naturalist (b. 1776)
  • 1845
    Philip Charles Durham, Royal Navy Admiral (b. 1763)
  • 1865
    General A. P. Hill, American Confederate general (b. 1825)
  • 1872
    Samuel F. B. Morse, American painter and inventor of the telegraph (b. 1791)
  • 1891
    Albert Pike, American Confederate Brigadier General, envoy, author, attorney, and Freemason (b. 1809)
  • 1902
    Esther Morris, suffragist and first female American judge (b. 1814)
  • 1914
    Paul von Heyse, German writer, Nobel laureate (b. 1830)
  • 1922
    Hermann Rorschach, Swiss psychologist (b. 1884)
  • 1928
    Theodore William Richards, American chemist, Nobel laureate (b. 1868)
  • 1930
    Empress Zauditu of Ethiopia (b. 1876)
  • 1933
    K. S. Ranjitsinhji, Indian king and Test cricketer (b. 1872)
  • 1936
    Jean Baptiste Eugène Estienne, French general (b. 1860)
  • 1953
    Hugo Sperrle, German field marshal (b. 1885)
  • 1958
    Josei Toda, Japanese second president of the Buddhist association Soka Gakkai (b. 1900)
  • 1958
    Tudor Davies, Welsh operatic tenor (b. 1892)
  • 1966
    C. S. Forester, English author (b. 1899)
  • 1972
    Franz Halder, German general (b. 1884)
  • 1972
    Gil Hodges, American baseball player and manager (b. 1924)
  • 1972
    Toshitsugu Takamatsu, Japanese Martial Arts Grandmaster (b. 1887)
  • 1974
    Georges Pompidou, President of France (b. 1911)
  • 1977
    Walter Wolf, German politician (b. 1907)
  • 1987
    Buddy Rich, American drummer (b. 1917)
  • 1992
    Juan Gómez González, Spanish football player (b. 1954)
  • 1992
    Tomisaburo Wakayama, Japanese actor (b. 1929)
  • 1994
    Betty Furness, American actress (b. 1916)
  • 1995
    Hannes Alfvén, Swedish physicist (b. 1908)
  • 1995
    Harvey Penick, American golf instructor (b. 1904)
  • 1998
    Rob Pilatus, American model and entertainer (Milli Vanilli) (b. 1965)
  • 2000
    Tommaso Buscetta, Sicilian mafioso and pentito (b. 1928)
  • 2001
    Charles Daudelin, Canadian artist (b. 1920)
  • 2001
    Jennifer Syme, American actress (b. 1972)
  • 2003
    Edwin Starr, American singer (b. 1942)
  • 2004
    John Argyris, Greek aeronautical engineer (b. 1913)
  • 2005
    Pope John Paul II (b. 1920)
  • 2006
    Nina Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg, German widow of Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg (b. 1913)
  • 2007
    Paul Reed, American actor (b. 1909)
  • 2010
    Chris Kanyon, American wrestler (b. 1970)
  • 2010
    Mike Cuellar, Cuban baseball player (b. 1937)
  • 2010
    Thomas J. Moyer, American jurist, Chief Justice Supreme Court of Ohio (b. 1939)

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