May 2 in history — What Happened Today in History

Chernobyl disaster: The City of Chernobyl is evacuated six days after the disaster.

Falklands War: The British nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror sinks the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano.

In the early morning hours a fire breaks out at the Sunshine Mine located between Kellogg and Wallace, Idaho, killing 91 workers.

ALM Flight 980 ditches in the Caribbean Sea near Saint Croix, killing 23.

The British ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2 departs on her maiden voyage to New York City.

Vietnam War: An explosion sinks the American aircraft carrier USNS Card while it is docked at Saigon. Two Viet Cong combat swimmers had placed explosives on the ship's hull. She is raised and returned to service less than seven months later.

First ascent of Shishapangma, the fourteenth highest mountain in the world and the lowest of the Eight-thousanders.

Berthold Seliger launches a rocket with three stages and a maximum flight altitude of more than 100 kilometres (62 mi) near Cuxhaven. It is the only sounding rocket developed in Germany.

A De Havilland Comet makes the first jetliner flight with fare-paying passengers, from London to Johannesburg.

World War II: The Soviet Union announces the fall of Berlin.

World War II: The surrender of Caserta comes into effect, by which German troops in Italy cease fighting.

World War II: The US 82nd Airborne Division liberates Wöbbelin concentration camp finding 1,000 dead prisoners, most of whom starved to death.

World War II: A death march from Dachau to the Austrian border is halted by the segregated, all-Nisei 522nd Field Artillery Battalion of the U.S. Army in southern Bavaria, saving several hundred prisoners.

World War II: Following the coup d'état against Iraq Crown Prince 'Abd al-Ilah earlier that year, the United Kingdom launches the Anglo-Iraqi War to restore him to power.

Germany's independent labor unions are replaced by the German Labour Front.

The first game of the Negro National League baseball is played in Indianapolis.

Closing ceremony of the Intercalated Games in Athens, Greece.

Menelik II, Emperor of Ethiopia, signs the Treaty of Wuchale, giving Italy control over Eritrea.

Cree and Assiniboine warriors win the Battle of Cut Knife, their largest victory over Canadian forces during the North-West Rebellion.

The April Uprising breaks out in Ottoman Bulgaria.

Albert Günther publishes the first study to recognise that the New Zealand tuatara is not a lizard.

Peruvian defenders fight off the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Callao.

American Civil War: Stonewall Jackson is wounded by friendly fire while returning to camp after reconnoitering during the Battle of Chancellorsville. He succumbs to pneumonia eight days later.

After anchoring nearby, Captain Charles Fremantle of HMS Challenger declares the Swan River Colony in Australia.

The Siege of Cuautla during the Mexican War of Independence ends with both sides claiming victory.

Outbreak of the Peninsular War: The people of Madrid rise up in rebellion against French occupation. Francisco de Goya later memorializes this event in his painting The Second of May 1808.

King Charles II of England grants a permanent charter to the Hudson's Bay Company to open up the fur trade in North America.

Afonso Mendes, appointed by Pope Gregory XV as Latin Patriarch of Ethiopia, arrives at Beilul from Goa.

Jonathan Villar, Dominican baseball player

Kay Panabaker, American actress

Paul George, American basketball player

Neftalí Feliz, Dominican baseball player

Saara Aalto, Finnish singer and actress

Nana Kitade, Japanese singer-songwriter and actress

Pat McAfee, American sports analyst and football player

Kris Russell, Canadian ice hockey player

Yasir Shah, Pakistani cricketer

Lily Allen, English singer-songwriter and actress

Kyle Busch, American race car driver (died 2026)

Ashley Harkleroad, American tennis player

Sarah Hughes, American figure skater

Ruth Rendell, English author (born 1930)

Tomás Balduino, Brazilian bishop (born 1922)

Žarko Petan, Slovenian director, playwright, and screenwriter (born 1929)

Efrem Zimbalist Jr., American actor (born 1918)

Ernie Field, English boxer (born 1943)

Jeff Hanneman, American guitarist and songwriter (born 1964)

Joseph P. McFadden, American bishop (born 1947)

Dvora Omer, Israeli author and educator (born 1932)

Ivan Turina, Croatian footballer (born 1980)

Charles Banks Wilson, American painter and illustrator (born 1918)

Fernando Lopes, Portuguese director and screenwriter (born 1935)

Zenaida Manfugás, Cuban-born American-naturalized pianist (born 1932)

Tufan Miñnullin, Russian playwright and politician (born 1936)