What Happened on March 2

Complete Timeline — March 2 Through the Ages

1. 986

   Louis V becomes the sole King of West Francia and undisputed king of the Franks after the death of his father Lothair

   Louis V becomes the sole King of West Francia and undisputed king of the Franks after the death of his father Lothair

2. 1121

   Dirk VI becomes count of Holland

   Dirk VI (1114 – 5 August 1157) was Count of Holland between 1121 and 1157, at first, during his minority, under the regency of his mother Petronilla. He was the son of Count Floris II.

3. 1127

   Assassination of Charles the Good, Count of Flanders

   Charles the Good (1084 – 2 March 1127) was Count of Flanders from 1119 to 1127. His murder and its aftermath were chronicled by Galbert of Bruges.

4. 1458

   Hussite George of Poděbrady chosen as the 16th King of Bohemia

   Hussite George of Poděbrady chosen as the 16th King of Bohemia

5. 1657

   Great Fire of Meireki destroys 60-70% of the Japanese capital city of Edo, killing an estimated 100,000 people

   Great Fire of Meireki destroys 60-70% of the Japanese capital city of Edo, killing an estimated 100,000 people

6. 1699

   French Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville is the first European to discover the mouth of the Mississippi rive

   French Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville is the first European to discover the mouth of the Mississippi river [1]

7. 1717

   The Loves of Mars and Venus becomes the first ballet performed in England

   The Loves of Mars and Venus becomes the first ballet performed in England

8. 1776

   American troops begin shelling the British in Boston

   American troops begin shelling the British in Boston

9. 1789

   Pennsylvania ends prohibition of theatrical performances

   Pennsylvania ends prohibition of theatrical performances

10. 1791

    Long-distance communication speeds up with the unveiling of a semaphore machine in Paris

    Long-distance communication speeds up with the unveiling of a semaphore machine in Paris

11. 1791

    John Wesley dies

    John Wesley clergyman, known for english clergyman, died on 1791-03-02. John Wesley (28 June [O.S.

12. 1793

    Sam Houston is born

    Sam Houston, American general and statesman, known for american general and statesman, was born on 1793-03-02.

13. 1796

    Napoléon Bonaparte is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the French Army in Italy

    The Italian campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars (1792–1801) were a series of conflicts fought principally in Northern Italy between the French Revolutionary Army and a Coalition of Austria,…

14. 1799

    Congress standardizes US weights & measures

    Congress standardizes US weights & measures

15. 1807

    US Congress bans the slave trade within the US, effective January 1, 1808

    The internal slave trade in the United States, also known as the domestic slave trade, the Second Middle Passage and the interregional slave trade, was the mercantile trade of enslaved people within…

16. 1808

    The inaugural meeting of the Wernerian Natural History Society, a former Scottish learned society, was held in Edinburgh

    The inaugural meeting of the Wernerian Natural History Society, a former Scottish learned society, was held in Edinburgh.

17. 1815

    Signing of Kandyan treaty by British invaders and Sri Lankan King

    The Kandyan period covers the history of Sri Lanka from 1597–1815. After the fall of the Kingdom of Kotte, the Kandyan Kingdom was the last independent monarchy of Sri Lanka.

18. 1817

    1st Evangelical church building dedicated, New Berlin, Pennsylvania

    1st Evangelical church building dedicated, New Berlin, Pennsylvania

19. 1819

    Territory of Arkansas organized

    The Arkansas Territory was a territory of the United States from July 4, 1819, to June 15, 1836, when the final extent of Arkansas Territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Arkansas.

20. 1824

    Interstate commerce comes under federal control

    Interstate commerce comes under federal control

21. 1824

    Bedřich Smetana is born

    Bedřich Smetana, Czech musician, known for czech composer, was born on 1824-03-02.

22. 1825

    First grand opera in the US sung in English, NYC

    First grand opera in the US sung in English, NYC

23. 1829

    New England Asylum for the Blind, 1st in US, incorporated, Boston

    New England Asylum for the Blind, 1st in US, incorporated, Boston

24. 1831

    John Frazee becomes 1st US sculptor to receive a federal commission

    John Frazee becomes 1st US sculptor to receive a federal commission

25. 1853

    Territory of Washington organized after separating from Oregon Territory

    The Washington Territory was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the territory was admitted to the Union as the...

26. 1855

    Aleksandr Romanov becomes tsar of Russia

    Alexander II (29 April 1818 – 13 March 1881) was Emperor of Russia, King of Poland, and Grand Duke of Finland from 2 March 1855 until his assassination on 13 March 1881.

27. 1855

    Nicholas I dies

    Nicholas I dies

28. 1858

    Frederick Cook of New Orleans, patents a cotton-bale metallic tie

    Frederick Cook of New Orleans, patents a cotton-bale metallic tie

29. 1861

    Government Printing Office purchases 1st printing plant, Washington

    Government Printing Office purchases 1st printing plant, Washington

30. 1865

    British newspaper "Morning Chronicle" begins publishing

    British newspaper "Morning Chronicle" begins publishing

31. 1866

    1st US company to make sewing needles by machine incorporated in Connecticut

    1st US company to make sewing needles by machine incorporated in Connecticut

32. 1867

    1st Reconstruction act passed by US Congress

    The Tenure of Office Act was a United States federal law, in force from 1867 to 1887, that was intended to restrict the power of the president to remove certain office-holders without the approval of...

33. 1868

    University of Illinois opens

    The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC, U. of I., Illinois, or University of Illinois) is a public land-grant research university in the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area, Illinois,...

34. 1874

    National Association of Professional Baseball Players officially adopts the batter's box; decide any player betting on h

    National Association of Professional Baseball Players officially adopts the batter's box; decide any player betting on his own team will be expelled; any player betting on any other team to forfeit his pay

35. 1876

    Pius XII is born

    Pius XII is born

36. 1888

    The Convention of Constantinople is signed, guaranteeing free maritime passage through the Suez Canal during war and pea

    The Convention of Constantinople is signed, guaranteeing free maritime passage through the Suez Canal during war and peace

37. 1889

    Kansas passes 1st US antitrust law

    Kansas passes 1st US antitrust law

38. 1890

    Norwegian speed skater Oskar Fredriksen sets inaugural 5,000m world record of 9:19.8 in Stockholm, Sweden

    Norwegian speed skater Oskar Fredriksen sets inaugural 5,000m world record of 9:19.8 in Stockholm, Sweden

39. 1893

    1st US federal railroad legislation passed; required safety features

    1st US federal railroad legislation passed; required safety features

40. 1895

    US Congress renames the Office of Immigration as the Bureau of Immigration

    US Congress renames the Office of Immigration as the Bureau of Immigration

41. 1899

    President McKinley signs bill creating Mt Rainier National Park (5th in US)

    Mount Rainier National Park is a national park of the United States located in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County in the U.S. state of Washington.

42. 1901

    Hawaii's first telegraph company opens

    Hawaii's first telegraph company opens

43. 1904

    Dr. Seuss is born

    Dr. Seuss, American author and cartoonist, known for american author and cartoonist, was born on 1904-03-02.

44. 1909

    Great Britain, France, Germany & Italy asks Serbia to set no territorial demands

    Great Britain, France, Germany & Italy asks Serbia to set no territorial demands

45. 1909

    Mel Ott is born

    Mel Ott, American athlete, known for american baseball player and manager, was born on 1909-03-02.

46. 1915

    British vice admiral Sackville Hamilton Carden begins bombardment of Dardanelles forts

    British vice admiral Sackville Hamilton Carden begins bombardment of Dardanelles forts

47. 1917

    Jones Act: Puerto Rico territory created, US citizenship granted

    The Jones–Shafroth Act (Pub. L. 64–368, 39 Stat. 951, enacted March 2, 1917), officially called the Organic Act of Puerto Rico or the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act of 1917, is an organic act of...

48. 1917

    Desi Arnaz is born

    Desi Arnaz, American cuban-american musician, actor, producer and television studio head, known for cuban-american musician, actor, producer and television studio head, was born on 1917-03-02.

49. 1919

    1st congress of Communist International opens at the Kremlin

    The 2nd World Congress of the Communist International was a gathering of approximately 220 voting and non-voting representatives of communist and revolutionary socialist political parties from around...

50. 1919

    Jennifer Jones is born

    Jennifer Jones, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1919-03-02. Jennifer Jones, also known as Jennifer Jones Simon, was an American actress and mental-health advocate.

51. 1920

    Actress Mary Pickford (27) divorces actor Owen Moore (33) after 9 years of marriage

    Gladys Louise Smith (April 8, 1892 – May 29, 1979), known professionally as Mary Pickford, was a Canadian American film actress and producer.

52. 1922

    WBAP-AM, Fort Worth Texas, begins broadcasting

    WBAP-AM, Fort Worth Texas, begins broadcasting

53. 1925

    Dutch Socialists demand drastic disarmament

    Dutch Socialists demand drastic disarmament

54. 1930

    1st US indoor glider flight, St Louis Terminal Building

    1st US indoor glider flight, St Louis Terminal Building

55. 1930

    D. H. Lawrence dies

    D. H. Lawrence, English writer and poet, known for english writer and poet, died on 1930-03-02.

56. 1931

    Mikhail Gorbachev is born

    Mikhail Gorbachev is born

57. 1932

    Australian golf trick-shot artist Joe Kirkwood posts an incredible 83 using only his putter over 18 holes at Belleaire,

    Australian golf trick-shot artist Joe Kirkwood posts an incredible 83 using only his putter over 18 holes at Belleaire, Florida; round includes 6 pars and 1 birdie

58. 1933

    "King Kong" film directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, starring Fay Wray premieres at Radio City Music

    "King Kong" film directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, starring Fay Wray premieres at Radio City Music Hall and RKO Roxy in NYC

59. 1933

    Thomas J. Walsh dies

    Thomas J. Walsh dies

60. 1934

    Union Pacific tests light-weight high-speed passenger train, Omaha

    Union Pacific tests light-weight high-speed passenger train, Omaha

61. 1936

    Film director D. W. Griffith (61) divorces Linda Arvidson (50) after 30 years of marriage

    Film director D. W. Griffith (61) divorces Linda Arvidson (50) after 30 years of marriage

62. 1937

    Film director D. W. Griffith (61) weds actress Evelyn Baldwin (26)

    Film director D. W. Griffith (61) weds actress Evelyn Baldwin (26)

63. 1937

    Mexico nationalizes oil

    Mexico nationalizes oil

64. 1937

    Abdelaziz Bouteflika is born

    Abdelaziz Bouteflika is born

65. 1938

    Landslides & floods cause over 200 deaths (Los Angeles California)

    Landslides & floods cause over 200 deaths (Los Angeles California)

66. 1939

    Howard Carter dies

    Howard Carter, British archaeologist and egyptologist, known for british archaeologist and egyptologist, died on 1939-03-02.

67. 1940

    Beaten by a nose in both the 1937 and 1938 Santa Anita Handicaps, Seabiscuit finally wins the Big 'Cap in his final race

    Beaten by a nose in both the 1937 and 1938 Santa Anita Handicaps, Seabiscuit finally wins the Big 'Cap in his final race; retires the leading money-winning horse in the world

68. 1941

    World War II: First German military units enter Bulgaria after it joined the Axis Pact.

    World War II or the Second World War was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers.

69. 1943

    1st transport from Westerbork Netherlands to Sobibor concentration camp

    Treblinka was the second-deadliest extermination camp to be built and operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during World War II, second only to Auschwitz.

70. 1945

    King Michael of Romania gives in to Communist government

    Michael I was the last king of Romania, reigning from 20 July 1927 to 8 June 1930 and again from 6 September 1940 until his forced abdication on 30 December 1947. Shortly after Michael's birth, his...

71. 1946

    Ho Chi Minh is elected President of North Vietnam

    Ho Chi Minh is elected President of North Vietnam

72. 1946

    Dutch troops land on East Bali

    Bali is an Indonesian island and province and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands.

73. 1949

    1st automatic street light (New Milford, Ct)

    1st automatic street light (New Milford, Ct)

74. 1955

    High school honors student Claudette Colvin (15) arrested in Montgomery, Alabama for refusing to move from her seat to t

    High school honors student Claudette Colvin (15) arrested in Montgomery, Alabama for refusing to move from her seat to the back of the bus; juvenile court later finds her guilty of assault, and places her on indefinite probation [1]

75. 1956

    French-Moroccan Agreement signed in Paris rescinds the Treaty of Fez, declaring independence of Morocco from France

    French-Moroccan Agreement signed in Paris rescinds the Treaty of Fez, declaring independence of Morocco from France

76. 1957

    Welsh laborer Tom Woodward (later known as singer Tom Jones) (16) weds high school girlfriend Linda Trenchard (16), unt

    Welsh laborer Tom Woodward (later known as singer Tom Jones) (16) weds high school girlfriend Linda Trenchard (16), until her death in 2016

77. 1958

    1st surface crossing of Antarctic continent is completed in 99 days

    1st surface crossing of Antarctic continent is completed in 99 days

78. 1962

    Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors

    Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors' 169-147 win over the NY Knicks in Hershey; 36-of-63 from the field, 28-of-32 from the free-throw line

79. 1963

    Jon Bon Jovi is born

    Jon Bon Jovi musician, known for american rock musician, was born on 1963-03-02. John Francis Bongiovi Jr., known professionally as Jon Bon Jovi, is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and…

80. 1964

    Anthony Albanese is born

    Anthony Albanese is born

81. 1965

    One of the most popular musical films of all time, "The Sound of Music," starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer,

    One of the most popular musical films of all time, "The Sound of Music," starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, premieres (Academy Award for Best Picture - 1966)

82. 1965

    Montcalm Community College founded in Sidney, Mich

    Montcalm Community College founded in Sidney, Mich

83. 1966

    ,000 US soldiers in Vietnam

    ,000 US soldiers in Vietnam

84. 1966

    Ron Gant is born

    Ron Gant, American athlete, known for american baseball player and news anchor, was born on 1966-03-02.

85. 1968

    Ice Dance Championship at Geneva won by Towler & Ford of Great Britain

    Ice Dance Championship at Geneva won by Towler & Ford of Great Britain

86. 1969

    1st test flight of the supersonic Concorde

    Concorde is a retired Anglo-French supersonic airliner jointly developed and manufactured by Sud Aviation and the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC). Studies began in 1954 and a UK–France treaty...

87. 1969

    Daniel Craig is born

    Daniel Craig, English actor, known for english actor, was born on 1969-03-02. Daniel Wroughton Craig ( CRAYG; born 2 March 1968) is an English actor.

88. 1970

    American Airlines begins their first service using a Boeing 747, between New York's JFK International Airport and Los An

    American Airlines begins their first service using a Boeing 747, between New York's JFK International Airport and Los Angeles International

89. 1972

    Jean-Bédel Bokassa appoints himself President for Life of the Central African Republic

    Jean-Bédel Bokassa ([ʒɑ̃ bedɛl bɔkasa] ; 22 February 1921 – 3 November 1996) was a Central African politician and military officer who served as the second president of the Central African Republic...

90. 1973

    "Black September" terrorists occupy Saudi Embassy in Khartoum

    "Black September" terrorists occupy Saudi Embassy in Khartoum

91. 1976

    Second wife Carole Hoff divorces serial killer John Wayne Gacy (33) after 3 years of marriage

    John Wayne Gacy (March 17, 1942 – May 10, 1994) was an American serial killer and sex offender who raped, tortured and murdered at least thirty-three young men and boys between 1972 and 1978 in…

92. 1976

    Walt Disney World logs its 50 millionth guest

    Walt Disney World logs its 50 millionth guest

93. 1978

    Soyuz 28 carries 2 cosmonauts (1 Czechoslovakian) to Salyut 6

    Salyut 6 was a Soviet orbital space station, the eighth station of the Salyut programme, and alternatively known DOS-5 as it was the fifth of the Durable Orbital Station series of civilian space...

94. 1978

    Chris Martin is born

    Chris Martin, English musician, known for english singer-songwriter, was born on 1978-03-02. Christopher Anthony John Martin is an English singer, songwriter, musician and producer.

95. 1980

    Phoenix point guard Mike Bratz ends NBA free throw streak of 57 games with a miss in the Suns' 123-115 home win over the

    Phoenix point guard Mike Bratz ends NBA free throw streak of 57 games with a miss in the Suns' 123-115 home win over the LA Lakers

96. 1981

    Aircraft hijacked by 3 Pakistani terrorists

    Aircraft hijacked by 3 Pakistani terrorists

97. 1981

    Rebel Wilson is born

    Rebel Wilson, Australian actress, known for australian actress, was born on 1981-03-02. Rebel Melanie Elizabeth Wilson is an Australian actress, comedian and producer.

98. 1982

    Terror group "The Illuminated Path" frees 260 prisoners in Peru

    Terror group "The Illuminated Path" frees 260 prisoners in Peru

99. 1983

    Compact Disc recordings developed by Phillips & Sony introduced

    Compact Disc recordings developed by Phillips & Sony introduced

100. 1983

     Ben Roethlisberger is born

     Ben Roethlisberger athlete, known for american football player, was born on 1983-03-02.

101. 1984

     Tennis player Yannick Noah (23) weds beauty queen Cecilia Rodhe (22) in Cameroon

     Tennis player Yannick Noah (23) weds beauty queen Cecilia Rodhe (22) in Cameroon

102. 1984

     Iran offensive against Iraq fails

     During the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), Iraq engaged in chemical warfare against Iran on multiple occasions, including more than 30 targeted attacks on Iranian civilians.

103. 1985

     FDA in the US approves an ELISA screening test for AIDS antibody for all blood banks

     FDA in the US approves an ELISA screening test for AIDS antibody for all blood banks

104. 1989

     12 European nations agree to ban chlorofluorocarbon production by 2000

     Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are fully or partly halogenated hydrocarbons that contain carbon (C), hydrogen (H), chlorine (Cl), and fluorine (F).

105. 1990

     Greyhound Bus goes on strike

     Greyhound Bus goes on strike

106. 1991

     Del Ballard Jr throws most famous gutter ball in PBA Tour history

     Del Ballard Jr throws most famous gutter ball in PBA Tour history

107. 1992

     American swimmer Anita Nall breaks the 200m breaststroke world record twice in the one day at the US Swimming championsh

     American swimmer Anita Nall breaks the 200m breaststroke world record twice in the one day at the US Swimming championships in Indianapolis; wins final in 2:25.35

108. 1994

     American politician William Natcher, (Rep-D-Ky), casts his 18,401 & last consecutive vote

     American politician William Natcher, (Rep-D-Ky), casts his 18,401 & last consecutive vote

109. 1995

     "Smokey Joe's Cafe" opens at Virginia Theater NYC

     "Smokey Joe's Cafe" opens at Virginia Theater NYC

110. 1997

     Australians Greg Blewett (214) and Steve Waugh (160) bat for the entire 3rd day of the 1st cricket Test against South Af

     Australians Greg Blewett (214) and Steve Waugh (160) bat for the entire 3rd day of the 1st cricket Test against South Africa in Johannesburg; set up Australian innings and 196 run victory

111. 1998

     Data sent from the Galileo spacecraft indicates that Jupiter's moon Europa has a liquid ocean under a thick crust of ice

     Data sent from the Galileo spacecraft indicates that Jupiter's moon Europa has a liquid ocean under a thick crust of ice

112. 2002

     US invasion of Afghanistan: US conventional forces first deployed as part of Operation Anaconda

     Shortly after the September 11 attacks in 2001, the United States declared the war on terror and subsequently led a multinational military operation against Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

113. 2002

     40-year old South African boxer ‘Baby Jake’ Matlala ends his 22-year career with a 7th-round TKO win over Columbia’s Jua

     40-year old South African boxer ‘Baby Jake’ Matlala ends his 22-year career with a 7th-round TKO win over Columbia’s Juan Herrera to retain his WBU junior flyweight title in Johannesburg

114. 2008

     Riots in Yerevan, Armenia concerning the Armenian presidential election, 2008 come to a fatal end, with police forces cl

     Riots in Yerevan, Armenia concerning the Armenian presidential election, 2008 come to a fatal end, with police forces clashing with civilians in their peaceful protest, resulting in 8 deaths.

115. 2011

     One of cricket’s great upsets; Kevin O’Brien smokes fastest century in World Cup history off 50 balls (ends 113 off 63)

     One of cricket’s great upsets; Kevin O’Brien smokes fastest century in World Cup history off 50 balls (ends 113 off 63) to help Ireland beat England by 3 wickets in Bangalore

116. 2012

     Major League Baseball confirms the postseason will be expanded from 8 to 10 teams, with an extra wild card team in each

     Major League Baseball confirms the postseason will be expanded from 8 to 10 teams, with an extra wild card team in each league

117. 2016

     Longest non-stop scheduled commercial flight by distance, Emirates A380 flies 14,200km (8,824 miles) Dubai to Auckland i

     Longest non-stop scheduled commercial flight by distance, Emirates A380 flies 14,200km (8,824 miles) Dubai to Auckland in 17 hours, 15 minutes

118. 2018

     Gunmen attack the French embassy and army HQ in suspected terrorist incident in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, killing 8 and

     Gunmen attack the French embassy and army HQ in suspected terrorist incident in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, killing 8 and injuring 80

119. 2022

     UN states agree to create legally binding plastic pollution treaty (tbc 2024) after talks in Nairobi, Kenya - hailed mos

     UN states agree to create legally binding plastic pollution treaty (tbc 2024) after talks in Nairobi, Kenya - hailed most significant environmental deal since 2015 Paris climate accord [1]

120. 2024

     LeBron James becomes the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 regular-season points as his LA Lakers slip to a 12

     LeBron James becomes the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 regular-season points as his LA Lakers slip to a 124-114 defeat to Denver Nuggets in Los Angeles

121. 2024

     Cargo ship Rubymar sinks in the Red Sea after being hit by Houthi rebels (Feb 18), prompting concerns for local ecology

     Cargo ship Rubymar sinks in the Red Sea after being hit by Houthi rebels (Feb 18), prompting concerns for local ecology [1]

People Associated with March 2

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