✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 122nd day of the year

May 2

A look at May 2 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Manfred von Richthofen and Satyajit Ray, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♉ZodiacTaurus ◈BirthstoneEmerald ❀Birth flowerLily of the Valley
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2014

    2014 Badakhshan mudslides

    Two mudslides in Badakhshan, Afghanistan, leave up to 2,500 people missing.

    Mudslides in Afghanistan
  2. 2011

    Osama bin Laden

    Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks and the FBI's most wanted fugitive, is killed by the United States Navy SEALs in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

    Founder of al-Qaeda (1957–2011)
  3. 2008

    Chaitén (volcano)

    Chaitén Volcano begins erupting in Chile, forcing the evacuation of more than 4,500 people.

    Active volcano in Los
  4. 2000

    Bill Clinton

    President Bill Clinton announces that accurate GPS access would no longer be restricted to the United States military.

    President of the United
  5. 1995

    Croatian War of Independence

    During the Croatian War of Independence, the Army of the Republic of Serb Krajina fires cluster bombs at Zagreb, killing seven and wounding over 175 civilians.

    1991–95 war during the
  6. 1986

    Chernobyl disaster

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

    1986 nuclear accident in
  7. 1982

    Falklands War

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

    1982 undeclared Argentina–United Kingdom
  8. 1964

    Vietnam War

    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.

    1955–1975 war in Southeast
  9. 1941

    World War II

    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.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  10. 1194

    Richard I of England

    King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first royal charter.

    King of England from
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Famous birthday twins

Born on May 2

Manfred von Richthofen

b. 1892

German captain and pilot

Satyajit Ray

b. 1921

Indian director, producer, and screenwriter

Yongle Emperor

b. 1360

of China

Tina Maze

b. 1983

Slovenian skier

David Beckham

b. 1975

English footballer, coach, and model

Dwayne Johnson

b. 1972

American actor and wrestler

Édouard Balladur

b. 1929

Turkish-French economist and politician, 162nd Prime Minister of France

Ashley Harkleroad

b. 1985

American tennis player

Deaths

  • 2011Osama bin Laden, Saudi Arabian terrorist, founder of Al-Qaeda
  • 1998Hide (musician), Japanese singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
  • 1986Henri Toivonen, Finnish race car driver
  • 1915Clara Immerwahr, German chemist
  • 1519Leonardo da Vinci, Italian painter, sculptor, and architect
  • 373373, Egyptian bishop and saint

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Ahudemmeh (Syriac Orthodox Church).
  • —Christian feast day: Athanasius of Alexandria (Western Christianity)
  • —Christian feast day: Bolesław Strzelecki (Catholic Church)
  • —Christian feast day: Boris I of Bulgaria (Bulgarian Orthodox Church)
  • —Christian feast day: Germanus of Normandy
  • —Christian feast day: Joseph Luu Van Nguyen (Catholic Church)
  • —Christian feast day: Wiborada (Catholic Church)
  • —Christian feast day: William Tirry (Catholic Church)

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