This day in history: 2 february

962: Otto I, known as Otto the Great, was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope John XII in Rome. This event marked the revival of the Holy Roman Empire and established a close relationship between the Church and the state, shaping European politics for centuries.
1141: The First Battle of Lincoln took place during the English civil war known as The Anarchy. King Stephen was defeated and captured by forces loyal to Empress Matilda, a pivotal moment in the struggle for the English throne.
1461: The Battle of Mortimer’s Cross occurred in Herefordshire, England, as part of the Wars of the Roses. Edward, Earl of March (later King Edward IV), led the Yorkists to victory, paving the way for his ascension.
1943: The Battle of Stalingrad ended with the surrender of the last organized German troops to the Soviets, marking a turning point in World War II on the Eastern Front.
506: Alaric II, king of the Visigoths, promulgated the Breviary of Alaric, a significant codification of Roman law for his subjects.
880: The Battle of Lüneburg Heath saw King Louis III of France defeated by the Norse Great Heathen Army in Saxony.
1207: Establishment of Terra Mariana, the precursor to modern Latvia and Estonia.
1428: A devastating earthquake struck Catalonia, centered near Camprodon, causing widespread destruction.

1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, officially ending the Mexican–American War. This treaty resulted in Mexico ceding more than 525,000 square miles of territory to the United States—including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming—in exchange for $15 million and the assumption of certain American claims against Mexico. The treaty established the Rio Grande as the border between Texas and Mexico and completed the continental expansion of the United States.
1887: The first Groundhog Day was celebrated in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. This tradition, rooted in folklore, involves observing a groundhog’s behavior to predict the coming of spring and remains a popular annual event in the U.S. and Canada.
1653: New Amsterdam (later New York City) was incorporated as a city, marking a foundational moment in the history of one of America’s most significant urban centers.
1876: The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs began play, marking the start of what is now Major League Baseball’s oldest existing league.
1980: The FBI’s Abscam investigation became public, revealing an undercover operation that led to the conviction of several U.S. elected officials for bribery and corruption.

2021: Military Coup in Myanmar
On February 2, 2021, Myanmar’s military placed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest in Naypyidaw, following a coup that overthrew her democratically elected government. This event triggered widespread protests and international condemnation, reshaping the political landscape of Myanmar.
1814: Establishment of the Indian Museum in Kolkata
The Indian Museum, one of the world’s oldest museums, was founded in Kolkata (then Calcutta) on this day. It remains a major cultural and historical institution in India.
1949: Founding of the Press Trust of India (PTI)
The Press Trust of India, a major news agency, was established on February 2, 1949, playing a crucial role in Indian journalism and media.
1899: Formation of the National Citizen’s Army in the Philippines
On February 2, 1899, the National Citizen’s Army, a precursor to the modern Philippine military, was established, marking a key moment in the country’s struggle for independence.
1509: Battle near Diu, India
A significant naval battle between Portugal and Turkey occurred near Diu (in present-day India), impacting colonial and maritime dynamics in the Indian Ocean.
In 1556, a catastrophic earthquake struck Shaanxi province, China, reportedly killing millions.
In 1862, Shambhunath Pandit became the first Indian judge of the Calcutta High Court.

1990: Lifting of the Ban on the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa
On this day, President F.W. de Klerk announced the end of the 30-year ban on the ANC, a pivotal moment that set in motion the release of Nelson Mandela and the dismantling of apartheid. This move marked the beginning of South Africa’s transition from institutionalized racial segregation to democracy, profoundly impacting the nation and the continent.
1971: Idi Amin Seizes Power in Uganda
Idi Amin declared himself president after a military coup, initiating a regime notorious for widespread human rights abuses and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Ugandans.
World Wetlands Day (International, with strong African relevance)
February 2 is celebrated as World Wetlands Day, commemorating the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971. Many African nations participate in this UN-recognized day, which highlights the importance of wetlands for biodiversity, water security, and climate resilience. The 2023 theme was “Wetland Restoration”.
Ancient History: Sack of Meroë (circa 350 CE, Northern Africa)
On or around this date, King Ezana of Aksum is believed to have sacked the Kushite capital of Meroë, a turning point in the history of ancient Nubia and the Horn of Africa.
Recent African Union Leadership
On February 2, 2009, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya was elected leader of the African Union, reflecting ongoing continental efforts toward unity and cooperation.