By Today In History
May 2 in History: 30 Top Events of this Tuesday ===
May 2nd has been a significant date throughout history. From notable battles to groundbreaking events in politics and entertainment, this day has seen many significant milestones. Join us as we take a comprehensive look at 30 top events that happened on this day.
1. Magellan’s Death
On this day in 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan. This marked the end of his expedition to find a western route to the Spice Islands.
2. The First Hot Air Balloon Flight
In 1783, Joseph Montgolfier and Etienne Montgolfier successfully launched the first hot air balloon flight in Annonay, France.
3. Washington, DC Becomes the Capital
In 1802, Washington, DC officially became the capital of the United States.
4. The End of the Civil War
On May 2, 1865, Confederate General Joseph Johnston surrendered to Union General William T. Sherman, effectively ending the Civil War.
5. The Eiffel Tower Opens
In 1889, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, opened to the public. It was the tallest man-made structure at the time, standing at 984 feet.
6. The First Successful Flight in Canada
On this day in 1909, John McCurdy successfully completed the first powered flight in Canada, completing a 540-meter flight in his Silver Dart airplane.
7. The Release of “The Godfather”
In 1972, the iconic film “The Godfather” was released in theaters. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the film starred Marlon Brando and Al Pacino and went on to win three Academy Awards.
8. Princess Charlotte is Born
In 2015, Princess Charlotte, the second child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, was born in London, England.
These are just a few of the many significant events that have happened on May 2 throughout history. Let’s continue to explore more.
9. The Death of Leonardo da Vinci
On this day in 1519, Italian artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci died at the age of 67 in Amboise, France.
10. The First Olympic Marathon
In 1896, the first Olympic marathon was held in Athens, Greece. Spiridon Louis, a Greek water carrier, won the race.
11. The Death of J. Edgar Hoover
In 1972, J. Edgar Hoover, the first director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), died at the age of 77.
12. The Birth of Catherine the Great
On May 2, 1729, Catherine the Great, the longest-ruling female leader of Russia, was born in Stettin, Pomerania (now Szczecin, Poland).
13. The First Satellite Phone Call
In 1979, the first satellite phone call was made by Motorola executive Martin Cooper in New York City.
14. The Liberation of Dachau
On May 2, 1945, American troops liberated the Dachau concentration camp in Germany, revealing the horrors of the Holocaust.
15. The Release of “Pulp Fiction”
In 1994, Quentin Tarantino’s film “Pulp Fiction” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The film went on to win the Palme d’Or and an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
16. The Death of Bing Crosby
In 1977, legendary singer and actor Bing Crosby died at the age of 74 in Madrid, Spain.
17. The Establishment of the World Health Organization
On May 2, 1948, the World Health Organization was established by the United Nations to promote global public health.
18. The Death of Osama bin Laden
In 2011, Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in a raid by U.S. Navy SEALs in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
19. The First Female Astronaut
On this day in 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel to space.
20. The Release of “Spider-Man”
In 2002, the first “Spider-Man” film, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Tobey Maguire, was released in theaters.
21. The Battle of Manila Bay
On May 2, 1898, the United States Navy destroyed the Spanish fleet in the Battle of Manila Bay in the Philippines, during the Spanish-American War.
22. The Birth of David Beckham
In 1975, English footballer and global icon David Beckham was born in London, England.
23. The Death of Theodor Herzl
On this day in 1904, Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism, died at the age of 44 in Vienna, Austria.
24. The Release of “The Avengers”
In 2012, the film “The Avengers”, directed by Joss Whedon and featuring a star-studded cast, including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson, was released in theaters.
25. The First Flight of the Wright Brothers
On May 2, 1909, the Wright brothers completed their first public flight at Simms Station, Ohio.
26. The Death of Catherine II of Russia
In 1796, Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great, died at the age of 67 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
27. The Release of “The Simpsons”
In 1989, the animated television series “The Simpsons” premiered on Fox. The show has since become a cultural touchstone and one of the longest-running television programs in history.
28. The First Canadian National Park
On this day in 1887, Banff National Park, the first national park in Canada, was established.
29. The Death of Gia Carangi
In 1986, American model Gia Carangi died at the age of 26 after battling AIDS.
30. The Release of “Iron Man”
In 2008, the first “Iron Man” film, directed by Jon Favreau and starring Robert Downey Jr., was released in theaters, marking the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
May 2 in History: 30 Top Events of this Tuesday===
May 2nd has brought about significant events that have shaped our world in various ways. From the birth of iconic figures to the release of groundbreaking films, May 2nd has been a day worth remembering in history. The events mentioned above are just a sample of the many milestones that have taken place on this day throughout history.