April 2: What Happened on This Day in History
April 2nd marks the 92nd day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 93rd in case of leap years). There are 273 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on April 2nd in history, famous birthdays on April 2nd, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to April 2.
What happened on April 2?
Here's what happened on April 2nd in history:
- 2017: The Ecuadorian presidential election took place on April 2, 2017, to elect a new president. Lenín Moreno won the election, succeeding Rafael Correa. The election was marked by a high voter turnout and significant political implications for the country. source: bbc.com
- 2016: On April 2, 2016, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced that its computer network had been breached by hackers. The intrusion was attributed to Russian state-sponsored actors, leading to concerns about election security and foreign interference in U.S. politics. source: nytimes.com
- 2012: On April 2, 2012, a mass shooting occurred at Oikos University in Oakland, California, resulting in seven deaths and three injuries. The shooter was apprehended at the scene. source: cbsnews.com
- 2009: On April 2, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the fiscal 2010 budget, which aimed to address the economic crisis and set spending priorities. The budget included significant investments in healthcare, education, and energy, reflecting the administration's priorities. source: congress.gov
- 2005: Pope John Paul II passed away on April 2, 2005, at the age of 84, after a prolonged illness. His death was confirmed when an electrocardiogram signal remained flat for more than 20 minutes. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1992: On April 2, 1992, mob boss John Gotti was convicted on 13 counts, including murder and racketeering. This conviction marked a significant blow to organized crime, as Gotti had previously evaded conviction in three separate trials. The jury deliberated for 13 hours before reaching a unanimous verdict. Gotti was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1989: Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev arrived in Havana for a three-day summit with Cuban President Fidel Castro. The visit aimed to strengthen Soviet-Cuban relations and address issues of mutual interest. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1980: The Crude Oil Windfall Profit Tax Act of 1980 was enacted on April 2, 1980, imposing an excise tax on domestic crude oil producers to recoup revenues from increased oil prices due to the OPEC oil embargo. The tax was repealed on August 23, 1988, amid low oil prices and concerns over its impact on domestic production and import dependence. source: congress.gov
- 1979: On April 2, 1979, anthrax spores were accidentally released from a Soviet military research facility in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg), leading to at least 66 human deaths and numerous animal fatalities. The Soviet government initially attributed the outbreak to tainted meat, but investigations later revealed that the incident was caused by a leak from a biological weapons plant. The event is sometimes referred to as the "biological Chernobyl." source: history.com
- 1974: Georges Pompidou, the 19th President of France, died on April 2, 1974, at the age of 62, from complications related to Waldenström macroglobulinemia, a form of blood cancer. His death led to the appointment of Alain Poher as Acting President until a new election could be held. source: britannica.com
What famous birthdays are on April 2?
On April 2nd there are the following famous birthdays:
![Thomas Jefferson]()
Thomas Jefferson (1743)Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and a leading figure in America's early development. [bio]
![Pedro Pascal]()
Pedro Pascal (1975)Pedro Pascal is a Chilean-American actor best known for his roles in popular television series such as 'Game of Thrones,' 'Narcos,' 'The Mandalorian,' and 'The Last of Us.' He has become a prominent figure in contemporary television due to his dynamic performances. [bio]
![Christopher Meloni]()
Christopher Meloni (1961)Christopher Meloni is an American actor best known for his role as Detective Elliot Stabler on the long-running television series 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' and its spinoff 'Law & Order: Organized Crime.' He has built a successful career in both television and film, often noted for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic parts. [bio]
![Marvin Gaye]()
Marvin Gaye (1939)Marvin Gaye was an influential American singer, songwriter, and record producer often referred to as the 'Prince of Motown' and 'Prince of Soul.' He helped shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s and became renowned for his soulful vocal style and socially conscious music, especially in the 1970s. [bio]
![Alec Guinness]()
Alec Guinness (1914)Alec Guinness was an acclaimed English actor, renowned for his versatility in theater and film. Over his distinguished career spanning more than six decades, he became known for his roles in classics such as 'The Bridge on the River Kwai,' 'Lawrence of Arabia,' and as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original 'Star Wars' trilogy. [bio]
![Ferenc Puskás]()
Ferenc Puskás (1927)Ferenc Puskás was a legendary Hungarian footballer and manager, celebrated for his exceptional scoring record and regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history. Puskás was renowned for his powerful left foot, prolific prowess in front of goal, and key contributions to both the Hungarian national team, famously known as the 'Mighty Magyars', and Real Madrid during his illustrious … [bio]
![Walter Chrysler]()
Walter Chrysler (1875)Walter Chrysler was an influential American industrialist best known for founding the Chrysler Corporation in 1925. Starting his career as a machinist and railroad mechanic, Chrysler entered the automotive industry with Buick in 1912, quickly rising to become its president by 1916. He later became a vice president at General Motors before founding his own company. His leadership and innovative … [bio]
![Michael Fassbender]()
Michael Fassbender (1977)Michael Fassbender is a German-Irish actor known for his dynamic performances in film and television, including acclaimed roles in '12 Years a Slave,' 'Shame,' and as Magneto in the 'X-Men' film series. [bio]
![Buddy Ebsen]()
Buddy Ebsen (1908)Buddy Ebsen was an American actor, dancer, and singer best known for his roles as Jed Clampett in the television series 'The Beverly Hillbillies' and as the title character in 'Barnaby Jones.' He enjoyed a career that spanned seven decades, starting in vaudeville and musicals before achieving television fame. [bio]
![Linda Hunt]()
Linda Hunt (1945)Linda Hunt is an acclaimed American actress best known for her Academy Award-winning role in 'The Year of Living Dangerously' and her long-running portrayal of Hetty Lange on the television series 'NCIS: Los Angeles'. [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on April 2?
On April 2nd the following celebrities died:
![Samuel Morse]()
Samuel Morse (1872)Samuel Morse was an American inventor and painter, best known for developing the electric telegraph and co-inventing Morse code. He was a pioneer in telecommunication and also achieved acclaim as a portrait artist. [bio]
![Edwin Starr]()
Edwin Starr (2003)Edwin Starr was an American soul singer and songwriter, best known for his Motown hit 'War', which became an anthem of protest against the Vietnam War. [bio]
![Paula Kelly]()
![Jennifer Syme]()
![Douglass Dumbrille]()
![Elizabeth Catlett]()
Elizabeth Catlett (2012)Elizabeth Catlett was a pioneering African-American artist and sculptor who significantly influenced 20th-century art through her powerful...
![Taos Amrouche]()
Taos Amrouche (1976)Significant Algerian writer who played a crucial role in preserving North African literary traditions.
![Gil Hodges]()
Gil Hodges (1972)Gil Hodges was a legendary Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman and later manager, known for his exceptional hitting skills and significant...
![Tomoyuki Tanaka]()
Tomoyuki Tanaka (1997)Tomoyuki Tanaka was a legendary Japanese film producer at Toho Studios, most famous for creating the iconic movie monster Godzilla, which...
![Buddy Rich]()
Buddy Rich (1987)Legendary jazz drummer and big band leader known for his extraordinary technical skill and powerful performances.
What day of the year is April 2?
April 2nd marks the 92nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 93rd in case of leap years).
There are 273 days remaining until the end of the year.
April 2nd is the 2nd day of the month of April.
What day of the week is April 2?
On April 2nd, 2026 the day of the week is Thursday.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day April 2?
The zodiac sign associated with April 2nd is Aries according to the Western Zodiac.
