What Happened on January 2?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON JANUARY 2
Explore the most important historical events that happened on January 2, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
Year:
1900
Chicago Canal opens.
Like
Uruguayan War
Year:
1865
Uruguayan War: The Siege of Paysandú ends as the Brazilians and Coloradans capture Paysandú, Uruguay.
Like
American Civil War
Year:
1863
American Civil War: The three-day Battle of Stones River ends in a Union victory when the Confederate Army of Tennessee under General Braxton Bragg are repulsed for the final time by the Army of the Cumberland under General William S. Rosecrans.
Like
John Hay
Year:
1900
American statesman and diplomat John Hay announces the Open Door Policy to promote trade with China.
Like
Palmer Raids
Year:
1920
The second Palmer Raid, ordered by the US Department of Justice, results in 6,000 suspected communists and anarchists being arrested and held without trial.
Like
Manila
Year:
1942
World War II: Manila is captured by Japanese forces, enabling them to control the Philippines.
Like
World War II
Year:
1941
World War II: The Cardiff Blitz severely damages the cathedral in Cardiff, Wales.
Like
R.U.R.
Year:
1921
World premiere of the science fiction play R.U.R. by the Czech writer Karel Čapek in a theater in Hradec Králové.
Like
BIRTHS ON JANUARY 2
Discover famous people and historical figures born on January 2, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Willi Graf
Year of birth:
1918
Willi Graf, German physician and activist (died 1943)
Like
Vera Zorina
Year of birth:
1917
Vera Zorina, German-Norwegian actress and dancer (died 2003)
Like
Juanita Jackson Mitchell
Year of birth:
1913
Juanita Jackson Mitchell, American lawyer and activist (died 1992)
Like
Beatrice Hicks
Year of birth:
1919
Beatrice Hicks, American engineer (died 1979)
Like
Ernest Bender
Year of birth:
1919
Ernest Bender, American Indologist (died 1996)
Like
Glen Harmon
Year of birth:
1921
Glen Harmon, Canadian ice hockey player (died 2007)
Like
Bob Feerick
Year of birth:
1920
Bob Feerick, American basketball player and coach (died 1976)
Like
Anna Lee
Year of birth:
1913
Anna Lee, English-American actress (died 2004)
Like
DEATHS ON JANUARY 2
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on January 2, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
James Dooley (New South Wales politician)
Year of death:
1950
James Dooley, Irish-Australian politician, 21st Premier of New South Wales (born 1877)
Like
Edith New
Year of death:
1951
Edith New, English militant suffragette (born 1877)
Like
William Campion (governor)
Year of death:
1951
William Campion, English colonel and politician, 21st Governor of Western Australia (born 1870)
Like
Guccio Gucci
Year of death:
1953
Guccio Gucci, Italian businessman and fashion designer, founder of Gucci (born 1881)
Like
Joe Darling
Year of death:
1946
Joe Darling, Australian cricketer and politician (born 1870)
Like
Mischa Levitzki
Year of death:
1941
Mischa Levitzki, Russian-American pianist and composer (born 1898)
Like
Paul Adam (French novelist)
Year of death:
1920
Paul Adam, French author (born 1862)
Like
Sabine Baring-Gould
Year of death:
1924
Sabine Baring-Gould, English author and scholar (born 1834)
Like
HOLIDAYS ON JANUARY 2
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on January 2 around the world.
Kaapse Klopse
Kaapse Klopse (Cape Town, South Africa)
Like
Public holidays in New Zealand
The Day after New Years Day is a Public Holiday in New Zealand
Like
Blacks and Whites' Carnival
The first day of Blacks and Whites' Carnival, celebrated until January 7 (Colombia)
Like
Twelve Days of Christmas
The ninth of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity)
Like
Public and bank holidays in Scotland
The Second of January is a Bank Holiday in Scotland
Like
January 2 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: January 2 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Like
Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah
Christian feast day: Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah (Episcopal Church)
Like
Basil of Caesarea
Christian feast day: Basil the Great (Catholic Church and Church of England)
Like