On This Day in History – August 2
August 2 has been a day of pivotal political developments, cultural milestones, and the birth and passing of remarkable figures throughout history. Here’s a look at the most notable moments that happened on this day.
Major Events
- 216 BC – Hannibal defeats the Roman army at the Battle of Cannae in one of the most significant tactical victories in military history.
- 1776 – Most delegates of the Second Continental Congress sign the United States Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
- 1870 – The world’s first underground tube railway opens in London.
- 1923 – Calvin Coolidge is sworn in as the 30th U.S. President after the death of Warren G. Harding.
- 1934 – Adolf Hitler becomes Führer of Germany, merging the roles of Chancellor and President after Hindenburg’s death.
- 1945 – The Potsdam Conference ends, setting post-war order and peace terms for defeated Germany.
- 1990 – Iraq invades Kuwait, beginning the Gulf War and triggering global condemnation.
- 2007 – Mattel recalls millions of toys due to concerns over lead paint and safety violations.
- 2018 – Apple Inc. becomes the first public U.S. company to reach a $1 trillion market capitalization.
Famous Birthdays
- Pierre Charles L’Enfant (1754–1825) – French-American architect and civil engineer who designed the layout of Washington, D.C.
- James Baldwin (1924–1987) – American novelist, playwright, and activist known for works on race and identity.
- Peter O’Toole (1932–2013) – Irish-English actor best known for his role in Lawrence of Arabia.
- Wes Craven (1939–2015) – American filmmaker known for A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream.
- Isabel Allende (1942– ) – Chilean-American author of The House of the Spirits.
- Carolyn Murphy (1973– ) – American fashion model and actress.
- Edward Furlong (1977– ) – American actor known for his role in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
- Sam Worthington (1976– ) – Australian actor known for Avatar.
- Charli XCX (1992– ) – British singer and songwriter.
- Skylar Astin (1987– ) – American actor and singer known for Pitch Perfect.
Notable Deaths
- Elisha Otis (1811–1861) – American inventor of the safety elevator.
- Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922) – Scottish-born inventor of the telephone.
- Paul von Hindenburg (1847–1934) – German field marshal and president whose death led to Hitler’s rise as Führer.
- Warren G. Harding (1865–1923) – 29th President of the United States.
- Fela Kuti (1938–1997) – Nigerian musician and pioneer of Afrobeat.
- Raymond Massey (1896–1983) – Canadian-American actor.
- William S. Burroughs Jr. (1947–1981) – American author and son of the Beat Generation writer.
- John G. Avildsen (1935–2017) – American film director of Rocky and The Karate Kid.
- Shoko Asahara (1955–2018) – Japanese cult leader executed for the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack.
- Richard Griffiths (1947–2013) – British actor known for playing Uncle Vernon in the Harry Potter series.
Holidays
- Azerbaijan National Flag Day – Celebrates the national flag and its historical importance.
- Republic Day (North Macedonia) – Marks the 1944 foundation of the Anti-Fascist Assembly of the National Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM).
- Day of Azerbaijani Cinema – Honoring Azerbaijan’s cinematic heritage.
- International Beer Day (celebrated on the first Friday of August, which sometimes falls on August 2)
Fun Facts
- Apple’s market cap milestone: On August 2, 2018, Apple became the first U.S. public company to reach a $1 trillion valuation.
- Hitler became Führer on this day in 1934, abolishing the presidency and consolidating total power in Nazi Germany.
- The Battle of Cannae is still studied in military academies worldwide for Hannibal’s tactical brilliance.
- Alexander Graham Bell’s funeral included a nationwide moment of silence and the silencing of all telephone calls in his honor.
- Potsdam Conference ended on this day, shaping post-WWII Europe and defining spheres of influence for decades.