Europa
- On July 2, 1494, Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, a pivotal agreement that divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two powers. While the treaty was negotiated in Europe, its primary impact was on colonial expansion and the geopolitical landscape of the New World.
- The Battle of Marston Moor, fought on July 2, 1644, was a decisive engagement during the English Civil War. Parliamentary forces, with Scottish allies, defeated the Royalists near York, shifting the balance of power in northern England.
- Italian scientist Guglielmo Marconi was awarded a patent for the radio on July 2, 1897. This breakthrough in wireless telegraphy revolutionized global communication and laid the groundwork for modern radio technology.
- On July 2, 1944, American bombers, as part of Allied operations, dropped bombs and mines on German-occupied Budapest, Hungary. This action was part of efforts to disrupt Axis logistics along the Danube River.
- On July 2, 2000, France won the UEFA Euro 2000 football championship, defeating Italy in the final. This victory solidified France’s dominance in international football at the turn of the millennium.
- 1555: Ottoman Admiral Turgut Reis sacked the Italian city of Paola.
- 1723: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Magnificat was first performed in Leipzig, Germany.
- 1822: Thirty-five leading Irish nationalists were prosecuted for conspiracy against British rule, underscoring tensions that would shape Ireland’s future.
- 1942: The Slovak Academy of Sciences was formed, contributing to scientific advancement in Central Europe.
America
- 1776 – Continental Congress Declares Independence
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted a resolution introduced by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, declaring the thirteen American colonies independent from Great Britain. This resolution marked the legal separation of the colonies from British rule, even though the formal Declaration of Independence was approved two days later, on July 4. - 1863 – Battle of Gettysburg (Second Day)
The second day of the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg occurred on July 2, 1863, during the American Civil War. This battle is considered a turning point in the war. - 1881 – President James Garfield Shot
President James A. Garfield was shot and mortally wounded by Charles J. Guiteau at a railway station in Washington, D.C. Garfield would die from his wounds on September 19, 1881. - 1890 – Sherman Anti-Trust Act Passed
The U.S. Congress passed the Sherman Anti-Trust Act on July 2, 1890, the first federal act to outlaw monopolistic business practices, laying the foundation for antitrust law in the United States. - 1917 – East St. Louis Race Riot
A violent race riot erupted in East St. Louis, Illinois, resulting in the deaths of at least 48 people (some estimates are higher) and highlighting racial tensions in early 20th-century America. - 1921 – End of War with Germany
President Warren G. Harding signed a joint congressional resolution officially ending the state of war between the United States and Germany, concluding America’s involvement in World War I. - 1937 – Amelia Earhart Disappears
American aviator Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan were last heard from on July 2, 1937, as they attempted to make the first equatorial round-the-world flight. Their disappearance remains one of the great mysteries in aviation history. - 1964 – Civil Rights Act Signed
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This landmark legislation was a major victory for the civil rights movement and transformed American society. - 2001 – First Self-Contained Artificial Heart Transplant
On July 2, 2001, American Robert L. Tools became the first person to receive a self-contained artificial heart transplant, marking a milestone in medical technology. - 2002 – Steve Fossett’s Balloon Flight
American adventurer Steve Fossett completed the first solo around-the-world balloon flight, covering 20,000 miles in 13 days.
Asia
- 1940 – Subhas Chandra Bose Arrested in India
On July 2, 1940, Indian independence leader Subhas Chandra Bose was arrested and detained in Calcutta by British colonial authorities. Bose was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, known for his radical approach and later for leading the Indian National Army against British rule during World War II. - In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Asia was a focal point of escalating conflict, particularly with the onset of World War II in the region. The Marco Polo Bridge Incident on July 7, 1937, just days after July 2, marked the start of full-scale war between Japan and China, leading to widespread devastation and reshaping the political landscape across East Asia.
- During this period, anti-colonial movements and the struggle for independence were intensifying in several Asian countries, including India, where leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose played crucial roles.
Africa
- The Amistad Revolt (1839)
On July 2, 1839, the Amistad revolt occurred when 53 Africans who had been illegally captured in Sierra Leone and transported aboard the Spanish schooner La Amistad mutinied against their captors off the coast of Cuba. Led by Joseph Cinqué, they seized control of the ship in a bid for freedom. This event became a landmark in the history of the African diaspora and the global fight against slavery, eventually resulting in a significant U.S. Supreme Court case that affirmed the Africans’ right to resist illegal enslavement. - Birth of Patrice Lumumba (1925)
Patrice Lumumba, a pivotal figure in African history, was born on July 2, 1925, in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lumumba became the country’s first prime minister after independence from Belgium in 1960 and was a leading advocate for Pan-Africanism and anti-colonialism. His legacy remains influential in African politics and the broader struggle for decolonization across the continent.
This day in history: 2 july