This day in history: 2 december

Europa

• Napoleon Bonaparte’s Milestones
  On December 2, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of France at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, marking a pivotal moment in French and European history.
• Exactly one year later, on December 2, 1805, Napoleon achieved one of his greatest military victories at the Battle of Austerlitz, decisively defeating a joint Russian and Austrian army. This battle is often considered his most brilliant triumph and solidified his dominance over much of Europe.
• The Second French Empire
  On December 2, 1852, Napoleon III, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, was proclaimed Emperor of the French, establishing the Second French Empire. This date was deliberately chosen to echo his uncle’s earlier glories.
• In 1409, the University of Leipzig was founded in Germany, which remains one of the oldest universities in Europe.
• On December 2, 1697, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire, was consecrated.

America

• The Monroe Doctrine (1823)
  On December 2, 1823, President James Monroe delivered his annual message to Congress, introducing the Monroe Doctrine. This policy declared that the Americas were no longer open to European colonization and that any European interference in the Western Hemisphere would be viewed as a threat to U.S. peace and safety. The Monroe Doctrine became a cornerstone of American foreign policy.
• Execution of John Brown (1859)
  Militant abolitionist John Brown was executed on December 2, 1859, in Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia), for his raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. His death intensified national tensions over slavery and is considered a significant event leading up to the American Civil War.
• First Controlled Nuclear Chain Reaction (1942)
  On December 2, 1942, physicist Enrico Fermi and his team achieved the world’s first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction at the University of Chicago. This breakthrough marked the beginning of the Atomic Age and was a pivotal moment in the development of nuclear energy and weaponry.
• In 1865, Alabama, North Carolina, and Georgia ratified the 13th Amendment, moving the U.S. closer to the legal abolition of slavery.
• On December 2, 1954, the U.S. Senate condemned Senator Joseph McCarthy for his conduct during the anti-Communist investigations, signaling the decline of McCarthyism.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established on December 2, 1970, by President Richard Nixon to protect human health and the environment.
• On December 2, 2001, Enron, once the largest energy company in the U.S., filed for bankruptcy after a massive accounting scandal.

Asia

• Formation of the United Arab Emirates (1971)
  On December 2, 1971, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was established, uniting seven emirates on the eastern Arabian Peninsula—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah (with Ras Al Khaimah joining in 1972). This event marked a significant geopolitical development in the Gulf region, creating a new nation with some of the world’s largest petroleum and natural gas reserves.
• Iran’s New Constitution (1979)
  On December 2, 1979, Iranian electors voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new constitution, granting absolute power to Ayatollah Khomeini. This solidified the Islamic Republic following the Iranian Revolution and fundamentally reshaped Iran’s political system.
• On December 2, 1911, King George V and Queen Mary became the first British monarchs to visit India. The Gateway of India in Mumbai was later built to commemorate their arrival.
• December 2 is also noted for the birth and death anniversaries of several prominent Indian figures, including politicians and artists.
• On December 2, 2021, during the ongoing Syrian civil war, ten oil workers were killed in an ISIL attack on a bus in Deir ez-Zor, Syria, highlighting the region’s continued instability.
• In 2024, South Asian leaders, including those from India and China, participated in the G20 summit in Brazil, focusing on global alliances and cooperation, with India emphasizing the priorities of the Global South.

Africa

• The Battle of Tugela (Ndondakusuka), 1856
  On December 2, 1856, the Battle of Tugela, also known as the Battle of Ndondakusuka, took place between Cetshwayo and his brother Umbolazi. This conflict was a significant succession battle within the Zulu royal family, ultimately leading to Cetshwayo’s rise as the Zulu king.
• Senegal Commemorates Thiaroye Massacre, 1944
  On December 2, 2024, Senegal marked the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye Massacre, where African soldiers who fought for France in World War II were killed by French troops after demanding fair treatment and payment. The commemoration included ceremonies attended by African leaders and French officials, highlighting ongoing demands for accountability and recognition of colonial injustices.
• In 1909, Joan Hoskyn Davies, the first woman to head an archives depot, was born on Robben Island, South Africa.
• In 1977, South African police were cleared of charges related to the death of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko due to insufficient evidence.
• In 1971, Robert Sobukwe, a prominent anti-apartheid leader, was denied permission to leave South Africa.
• In 1982, renowned Afrikaans poet Breyten Breytenbach was released from prison after serving seven years of a nine-year sentence for anti-apartheid activities.
• On December 2, 2004, NetDay South Africa announced it had connected over 300 underprivileged schools to computer networks, marking a milestone in educational technology access.