Welcome to a captivating journey through time as we delve into “Major Historical Events on January 2 – Today in History.” Every date has its own unique tapestry of events that have shaped the course of history, and January 2 is no exception. From remarkable milestones to significant turning points, this blog invites you to explore the fascinating happenings that have occurred on this day throughout the years.
Major Historical Events on January 2 – Today in History
John II Becomes Catholic Pope (533)
John II begins his reign as Catholic Pope, shaping the course of religious history.
Ivan the Terrible’s March to Novgorod (1570)
Tsar Ivan the Terrible initiates his march to Novgorod, a significant event in Russian history.
British Troops Occupy Calcutta, India (1757)
British troops occupy Calcutta, marking a pivotal moment in the colonial history of India.
George Washington Raises Grand Union Flag (1776)
George Washington’s army hoists the Grand Union Flag, symbolizing the early days of the American Revolution.
Big Bottom Massacre and the Northwest Indian War (1791)
The Big Bottom massacre in the Ohio Country marks the beginning of the Northwest Indian War.
Lord Byron Completes “The Corsair” (1814)
Lord Byron completes “The Corsair,” a significant work in the literary history of the 19th century.
First Photo of the Moon by Louis Daguerre (1839)
French photographer Louis Daguerre takes the first-ever photo of the Moon, a milestone in astronomical photography.
Battle of Murfreesboro (Stone’s River) Ends (1863)
The Battle of Murfreesboro concludes during the American Civil War.
Battle of Boschberg in South Africa (1883)
The Battle of Boschberg takes place as part of the Mapoch War in South Africa.
Alice Sanger Becomes 1st Female White House Staffer (1890)
Alice Sanger becomes the first female White House staffer, breaking gender barriers.
Formation of Industrial Workers of the World (1905)
The American anarcho-syndicalist union, Industrial Workers of the World, is formed.
Willis Carrier Patents the First Air Conditioner (1906)
Willis Carrier receives a U.S. patent for the world’s first air conditioner, revolutionizing comfort.
First Junior High Schools Open in Berkeley, California (1910)
The first junior high schools in the U.S. open in Berkeley, California, impacting education.
Australia Releases First National Stamp (1913)
Australia releases its first national stamp featuring a kangaroo on a map, a significant philatelic event.
Gandhi Leaves Tolstoy Farm in Transvaal (1913)
Mahatma Gandhi leaves the Tolstoy Farm, marking a stage in his nonviolent struggle.
First Religious Service Radio Broadcast in the U.S. (1921)
The first religious service radio broadcast occurs in the U.S. on KDKA-Pittsburgh.
U.S. & Canada Agree to Preserve Niagara Falls (1929)
The U.S. and Canada reach an agreement to preserve the natural wonder of Niagara Falls.
First State Liquor Stores Open in Pennsylvania (1934)
The first state liquor stores open in Pennsylvania, impacting alcohol regulation.
Founding of Simon and Schuster (1938)
Book publisher Simon and Schuster is founded, leaving an indelible mark on the publishing industry.
German Bombing Damages Llandaff Cathedral (1941)
German bombing severely damages Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff, Wales, during World War II.
First Use of Helicopters in Warfare (1944)
Helicopters are first used during warfare in a British Atlantic patrol during World War II.
Mahatma Gandhi’s March for Peace in East Bengal (1947)
Mahatma Gandhi begins a march for peace in East Bengal, contributing to the Indian independence movement.
USSR Launches Luna 1 Spacecraft (1959)
USSR launches Luna 1, the first spacecraft to leave Earth’s gravity, reaching the vicinity of the Moon.
John Reynolds Sets Solar System Age (1960)
John Reynolds sets the age of the solar system at 4,950,000,000 years, a significant contribution to astronomy.
Senator John F. Kennedy Announces Presidential Candidacy (1960)
Senator John F. Kennedy announces his candidacy for the U.S. Presidency, marking a pivotal political moment.
Assassination Attempt on President Kwame Nkrumah (1964)
An unsuccessful assassination attempt on President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana occurs.
Ayub Khan Elected President of Pakistan (1965)
Ayub Khan is elected President of Pakistan, shaping the country’s political landscape.
Martin Luther King Jr. Drives Voter Registration (1965)
Martin Luther King Jr. initiates a drive to register black voters, contributing to civil rights.
First Jewish Child Born in Spain Since 1492 Expulsion (1966)
The birth of the first Jewish child in Spain since the 1492 expulsion marks a cultural milestone.
Cecil Day-Lewis Appointed British Poet Laureate (1968)
Cecil Day-Lewis is appointed British Poet Laureate by Queen Elizabeth II.
Christiaan Barnard Performs Second Heart Transplant (1968)
Christiaan Barnard performs the world’s second heart transplant on Philip Blaiberg.
Muhammadu Buhari Declared Head of State in Nigeria (1984)
Major-General Muhammadu Buhari is declared Head of State in Nigeria following a military coup.
Record Trading in NY Stock Exchange (1986)
A record 191.66 million shares are traded in the NY Stock Exchange.
Release of “Superwoman” by Karyn White (1989)
Karyn White releases “Superwoman,” named Billboard Song of the Year 1989.
Stardust Flies Past Comet Wild 2 (2004)
Stardust successfully flies past Comet Wild 2, collecting samples for later return to Earth.
WHO Classifies Gaming Addiction as Mental Health Condition (2018)
The World Health Organization reveals the classification of gaming addiction as a mental health condition.
Israel Offers Fourth Vaccine Dose Against COVID-19 (2022)
Israel becomes one of the first countries to offer a fourth vaccine dose against COVID-19 amid an Omicron surge.
Cardiac Arrest and Revival of Damar Hamlin in NFL Game (2023)
Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin collapses in cardiac arrest during an NFL game against the Bengals, revived by CPR on the field.
Also Read: Major Historical Events on January 1 – Today in History
