June 2 in history — What Happened Today in History
Welcome to June 2 in history! Here you can discover what happened on June 2, including the major events, the famous people born on June 2 and the notable deaths on June 2, with the newest story starting in 2023.
On this page, June 2 in history is arranged as a timeline of major events in reverse order, with birthdays and deaths in their own sections, plus a short FAQ about June 2 in history at the bottom.
Major Events on June 2 in History 38
- 2023
A collision between two passenger trains and a parked freight train near the city of Balasor, Odisha in eastern India, results in 296 deaths and more than 1,200 people injured.
- 2022
Following a request from Ankara, the United Nations officially changes the name of the Republic of Turkey in the organization from what was previously known as "Turkey" to "Türkiye".
- 2014
Telangana officially becomes the 29th state of India, formed from ten districts of northwestern Andhra Pradesh.
- 2012
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the killing of demonstrators during the 2011 Egyptian revolution.
- 2010
Twelve people are killed and eleven others injured in a spree shooting in Cumbria, England, before the perpetrator takes his own life.
- 2003
Europe launches its first voyage to another planet, Mars. The European Space Agency's Mars Express probe launches from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.
- 1998
Space Shuttle Discovery is launched on STS-91, the final mission of the Shuttle-Mir program.
- 1997
In Denver, Timothy McVeigh is convicted on 11 counts of murder and conspiracy for his role in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, in which 168 people died. He was executed four years later.
- 1990
The Lower Ohio Valley tornado outbreak spawns 66 confirmed tornadoes in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, killing 12.
- 1983
After an emergency landing because of an in-flight fire, twenty-three passengers aboard Air Canada Flight 797 are killed when a flashover occurs as the plane's doors open. Because of this incident, numerous new safety regulations are put in place.
- 1979
Pope John Paul II starts his first official visit to his native Poland, becoming the first Pope to visit a Communist country.
- 1967
Luis Monge is executed in Colorado's gas chamber, in the last pre-Furman execution in the United States.
All entries for June 2（+26）
- 1967
Protests in West Berlin against the arrival of the Shah of Iran are brutally suppressed, during which Benno Ohnesorg is killed by a police officer. His death results in the founding of the terrorist group 2 June Movement.
- 1966
Surveyor program: Surveyor 1 lands in Oceanus Procellarum on the Moon, becoming the first U.S. spacecraft to soft-land on another world.
- 1964
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is formed.
- 1962
During the FIFA World Cup, police intervene multiple times in fights between Chilean and Italian players in one of the most violent games in football history.
- 1958
Aeronaves de México Flight 111 crashes on approach to Guadalajara International Airport, killing 45.
- 1955
The USSR and Yugoslavia sign the Belgrade declaration and thus normalize relations between the two countries, discontinued since 1948.
- 1953
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey becomes the first British coronation, and one of the first major international events, to be televised.
- 1946
Birth of the Italian Republic: In a referendum, Italians vote to turn Italy from a monarchy into a Republic. After the referendum, King Umberto II of Italy is exiled.
- 1941
World War II: German paratroopers murder Greek civilians in the villages of Kondomari and Alikianos.
- 1924
U.S. President Calvin Coolidge signs the Indian Citizenship Act into law, granting citizenship to all Native Americans born within the territorial limits of the United States.
- 1919
Anarchists simultaneously set off bombs in eight separate U.S. cities.
- 1910
Charles Rolls, a co-founder of Rolls-Royce Limited, becomes the first man to make a non-stop double crossing of the English Channel by plane.
- 1909
Alfred Deakin becomes Prime Minister of Australia for the third time.
- 1896
Guglielmo Marconi applies for a patent for his wireless telegraph.
- 1878
Nobiling assassination attempt by anarchist Karl Nobiling targeting the German Kaiser, Wilhelm I.
- 1866
The Fenians defeat Canadian forces at Ridgeway and Fort Erie, but the raids end soon after.
- 1848
The Slavic Congress opens in Prague.
- 1805
Napoleonic Wars: A Franco-Spanish fleet recaptures from the British the island of Diamond Rock, which guards the entrance to the bay leading to Fort-de-France, Martinique.
- 1793
French Revolution: François Hanriot, leader of the Parisian National Guard, arrests 22 Girondists selected by Jean-Paul Marat, setting the stage for the Reign of Terror.
- 1780
The anti-Catholic Gordon Riots in London leave an estimated 300 to 700 people dead.
- 1774
Intolerable Acts: The Quartering Act of 1774 is enacted, allowing a governor in colonial America to house British soldiers in uninhabited houses, outhouses, barns, or other buildings if suitable quarters are not provided.
- 1763
Pontiac's Rebellion: At what is now Mackinaw City, Michigan, Chippewas capture Fort Michilimackinac by diverting the garrison's attention with a game of lacrosse, then chasing a ball into the fort.
- 1692
Bridget Bishop is the first person to be tried for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts; she is found guilty the same day and hanged on June 10.
- 1676
Franco-Dutch War: France ensures the supremacy of its naval fleet for the remainder of the war with its victory in the Battle of Palermo.
- 1615
The first Récollet missionaries arrive at Quebec City, from Rouen, France.
- 1608
The Colony of Virginia gets a charter, extending borders from "sea to sea".
Famous Birthdays on June 2 in History 25
- 2002
Madison Hu, American actress
- 2002
Fonua Pole, New Zealand rugby league player
- 2001
Kysaiah Pickett, Australian rules footballer
- 2000
Jay Idzes, Indonesian footballer
- 1999
Campbell Graham, Australian rugby league player
- 1997
Scott Wozniak, American YouTuber
- 1996
Morissette, Filipina singer-songwriter
- 1993
Adam Taggart, Australian footballer
- 1992
Pajtim Kasami, Swiss footballer
- 1990
Dane Rampe, Australian rules footballer
- 1989
Steve Smith, Australian cricketer
- 1988
Sergio Agüero, Argentine footballer
All entries for June 2（+13）
- 1988
Awkwafina, American actress, rapper, and comedian
- 1988
Staniliya Stamenova, Bulgarian canoeist
- 1987
Clayton Bartolo, Maltese politician
- 1987
Maryka Holtzhausen, South African netball player
- 1987
Yoann Huget, French rugby player
- 1987
Matthew Koma, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
- 1987
Angelo Mathews, Sri Lankan cricketer
- 1987
Sonakshi Sinha, Indian actress
- 1986
Todd Carney, Australian rugby league player
- 1985
Rhett Bomar, American football player
- 1985
Miyuki Sawashiro, Japanese voice actress and singer
- 1984
Jack Afamasaga, New Zealand rugby league player
- 1984
Feleti Mateo, Australian-Tongan rugby league player
Notable Deaths on June 2 in History 25
- 2024
Larry Allen, American football player (born 1971)
- 2024
Rob Burrow, English rugby league footballer (born 1982)
- 2024
David Levy, Israeli politician (born 1937)
- 2024
Janis Paige, American actress and singer (born 1922)
- 2015
Fernando de Araújo, East Timorese politician, President of East Timor (born 1963)
- 2015
Irwin Rose, American biologist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1926)
- 2014
Ivica Brzić, Serbian footballer and manager (born 1941)
- 2014
Nikolay Khrenkov, Russian bobsledder (born 1984)
- 2014
Alexander Shulgin, American pharmacologist and chemist (born 1925)
- 2013
Mario Bernardi, Canadian pianist and conductor (born 1930)
- 2013
Chen Xitong, Chinese politician, 8th Mayor of Beijing (born 1930)
- 2013
Mandawuy Yunupingu, Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1956)
All entries for June 2（+13）
- 2012
Adolfo Calero, Nicaraguan businessman and political activist (born 1931)
- 2012
Richard Dawson, English-American soldier, actor, television personality, and game show host (born 1932)
- 2012
LeRoy Ellis, American basketball player (born 1940)
- 2012
Kathryn Joosten, American actress (born 1939)
- 2009
David Eddings, American author (born 1931)
- 2008
Bo Diddley, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1928)
- 2008
Mel Ferrer, American actor (born 1917)
- 2007
Kentarō Haneda, Japanese pianist and composer (born 1949)
- 2007
Huang Ju, Chinese engineer and politician, 1st Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China (born 1938)
- 2006
Keith Smith, English rugby player and coach (born 1952)
- 2005
Lucien Cliche, Canadian lawyer and politician (born 1916)
- 2005
Gunder Gundersen, Norwegian skier (born 1930)
- 2005
Samir Kassir, Lebanese journalist and educator (born 1950)
That is the story of June 2 in history. Bookmark this page and come back next year on June 2 to relive these world-changing moments — or take a random trip through time and see what happened on another day in history.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on June 2 in history?
The biggest event on June 2 in history is: 2023 — A collision between two passenger trains and a parked freight train near the city of Balasor, Odisha in eastern India, results in 296 deaths and more than 1,200 people injured.. In total, 38 major events are recorded for this day.
Who was born on June 2?
25 famous people were born on June 2 in history, the best known being 2002 — Madison Hu, American actress.
Who died on June 2?
25 notable people died on June 2 in history, including 2024 — Larry Allen, American football player (born 1971).
Why should I read about June 2 in history?
Exploring June 2 in history helps you grasp the day's place in history in just a few minutes: events, birthdays and deaths in one read — perfect for students, teachers and curious minds.
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