2nd May in History

May 2 is the 122nd day of the year (123rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar; 243 days remain until the end of the year.

So, What happened on 2nd May in history

What happened on this day in history (2nd May): Satyajit Ray, Brian Lara, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and David Beckham was born, Osama bin Laden was killed and Leonardo da Vinci died, US preformed several nuclear tests in different years on this day and more.

It may not mean much to you right now, but by the end of this article, you will learn that May 2 holds a significant place in history.

Dive in to know what happened on this day (May 2) in sports, politics and art, along with famous birthdays and deaths in world history.

Early Events

In 1194 – King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter.
In 1230 – William de Braose is hanged by Prince Llywelyn the Great.
In 1536 – Anne Boleyn, Queen of England, is arrested and imprisoned on charges of adultery, incest, treason and witchcraft.
In 1568 – Mary, Queen of Scots, escapes from Loch Leven Castle.
In 1780 – William Herschel discovers 1st binary star, Xi Ursae Majoris.
In 1783 – Architect Pierre Charles L’Enfant is promoted by brevet to Major of Engineers in recognition of his service to American liberty.
In 1808 – Uprising against French occupation begins in Madrid.
In 1833 – Russian Tsar Nicolas I bans public sale of serfs.
In 1863 – Stonewall Jackson attacking Chancellorsville is wounded by his own men.
In 1876 – The April Uprising breaks out in Bulgaria.

Relatively New Events On This Day

In 1900, George Bernard Shaw’s play “You Never Can Tell” premieres in London.
In 1918, General Motors acquires the Chevrolet Motor Company of Delaware.
In 1920, 1st game of National Negro Baseball League played in Indianapolis.
In 1924, Netherlands refuses to recognize USSR.
In 1927, International Economic Conference (52 countries including USSR) opens.
In 1927, Pulitzer prize awarded to Louis Bromfield (Early Autumn).
In 1929, Billie Holiday (14) and her mother are arrested for prostitution following a raid of a brothel in Harlem.
In 1932, Jack Benny’s 1st radio show premieres (NBC Blue Network).
In 1933, In Germany, Adolf Hitler bans trade unions.
In 1934, Nazi Germany begins People’s Court.
In 1938, Pulitzer prize awarded to Thornton Wilder for his play “Our Town”.
In 1942, Japanese troops occupy Mandalay, Burma.
In 1945, World War II: Battle of Berlin ends as Soviet army takes Berlin forcing German commander of the city general Helmuth Weidling to surrender.
In 1956, US Lab detects high-temperature microwave radiation from Venus.
In 1956, US Methodist church disallows racial separation.
In 1962, US performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island.
In 1965, Early Bird satellite goes into commercial service.
In 1972, US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site.
In 2000, President Bill Clinton announces that accurate GPS access would no longer be restricted to the United States military.
In 2011, Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind behind the September 11 attacks and the FBI’s most wanted man is killed by US special forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
In 2022, World Snooker Championship, Crucible Theatre, Sheffield: Englishman Ronnie O’Sullivan wins his record equalling 7th world title with an 18-13 win over countryman Judd Trump.

Sports Events On This Day

In 1984, Base Ball Record: New York Yankee Don Mattingly’s single breaks up Chicago White Sox pitcher Lamarr Hoyt’s perfect game bid, at Comiskey Park.
In 2012, Barcelona football player Lionel Messi breaks the European goal-scoring record with 68 goals.
In 2015, Floyd Mayweather Jr. beats Manny Pacquiao on points in 12 rounds in world welterweight unification fight, shatters all financial records for a boxing match.

Water Sort Puzzle – Brain Game

Art and Culture Events – What Happened on 2nd May

In 1980, Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in Wall (Part II)” is banned in South Africa.
In 1989, “Killin’ Time” debut album by Clint Black is released (Billboard Album of the Year, 1990).

Famous Birthdays On 2nd May

Sr No	Birth Year	Personality
1	1975	David Beckham, English footballer, coach, model
2	1972	Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, American actor and former professional wrestler
3	1969	Brian Lara, One of the greatest batsmen of all time
4	1921	Satyajit Ray, Indian director, producer, screenwriter
5	1808	Emma Darwin, English wife of Charles Darwin

Notable Deaths On 2nd May

Sr No	Death Year	Personality
1	2011	Osama bin Laden, Saudi Arabian terrorist, founded al-Qaeda
2	1972	J. Edgar Hoover, American 1st Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
3	1957	Joseph McCarthy, American politician
4	1864	Giacomo Meyerbeer, German composer
5	1519	Leonardo da Vinci, Italian painter, sculptor, architect