August 2: What Happened on This Day in History

2August

August 2nd marks the 214th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 215th in case of leap years). There are 151 days remaining until the end of the year.

Discover what happened on August 2nd in history, famous birthdays on August 2nd, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to August 2.

history

What happened on August 2?

Here's what happened on August 2nd in history:


  • 2023: As part of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces conducted a drone strike in Izmail, Odesa Oblast, targeting and damaging administrative buildings and critical grain storage facilities. This attack further escalates the conflict's impact on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and agricultural resources.
  • 2018: On August 2, 2018, a Saudi-led coalition airstrike in Yemen's Saada province resulted in the deaths of at least 29 civilians, including 22 children. The attack targeted a bus carrying schoolchildren, drawing international condemnation for its impact on non-combatants. source: aljazeera.com
  • 2015: On August 2, 2015, a Saudi Arabian citizen was killed in the city of Najran by a projectile fired from Yemen. The incident occurred amid ongoing cross-border attacks between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels in Yemen. source: aljazeera.com
  • 2013: On August 2, 2013, the US State Department issued a global travel alert for American citizens traveling abroad. This alert was prompted by concerns over potential terrorist threats, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa regions. source: state.gov
  • 1997: On August 2, 1997, Nigerian musician and political activist Fela Kuti passed away. Kuti was renowned for his pioneering work in the Afrobeat genre and his outspoken political views, leaving a lasting impact on music and culture. source: cnbc.com
  • 1991: On August 2, 1991, NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on mission STS-43 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The primary objective was to deploy the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-5 (TDRS-5), which became the fourth member of the TDRS cluster, enhancing communication capabilities for spacecraft in low Earth orbit. The mission lasted 8 days, 21 hours, and 21 minutes, with landing on August 11, 1991. source: nasa.gov
  • 1986: On August 2, 1986, IBM launched its PS/2 line of personal computers, which featured the Micro Channel Architecture and aimed to standardize PC hardware. This event marked a significant milestone in the personal computer era, influencing the design and compatibility of future PCs. The PS/2 series also introduced the 3.5-inch floppy disk, which became a standard storage medium for years to come. source: britannica.com
  • 1984: Quirino Cristiani, an influential figure in Argentine animation, passed away on August 2, 1984. He is known for creating the first animated feature film, contributing significantly to the animation industry. source: britannica.com
  • 1982: On August 2, 1982, American diver Greg Louganis secured the gold medal in the men's 3-meter springboard event at the World Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He became the first diver to score over 700 points in an 11-dive competition, achieving a total of 752.67 points. This performance marked a significant milestone in his diving career. source: myjournalcourier.com
  • 1970: Kevin Patrick Smith, an American filmmaker, was born on August 2, 1970, in Red Bank, New Jersey. He is best known for directing and writing films such as 'Clerks' and 'Chasing Amy'. source: en.wikipedia.org
Discover all events on August 2 in history
birthday

What famous birthdays are on August 2?

On August 2nd there are the following famous birthdays:


  • Wes Craven
    Wes Craven (1939)

    Wes Craven was an influential American film director, screenwriter, producer, and actor, best known for his pioneering work in the horror genre, including the 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' and 'Scream' franchises. [bio]

  • Myrna Loy
    Myrna Loy (1905)

    Myrna Loy was an acclaimed American film, television, and stage actress, best known for her sophisticated and witty roles, particularly as Nora Charles in the 'Thin Man' film series. Over a career spanning eight decades, she became one of Hollywood's most beloved leading ladies. [bio]

  • Isabel Allende
    Isabel Allende (1942)

    Isabel Allende is a Chilean-American writer known for her works blending magical realism with historical fiction. Widely regarded as one of the most prominent contemporary female authors from Latin America, her works have been translated into numerous languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. [bio]

  • Mary-Louise Parker
    Mary-Louise Parker (1964)

    Mary-Louise Parker is an American actress best known for her work in both television and film, particularly for her lead role as Nancy Botwin in the television series 'Weeds.' Her distinguished career includes award-winning performances on stage and screen. [bio]

  • Sam Worthington
    Sam Worthington (1976)

    Sam Worthington is an Australian actor best known for his lead role as Jake Sully in James Cameron's 'Avatar' film series. He has also appeared in major blockbuster films such as 'Terminator Salvation' and 'Clash of the Titans.' [bio]

  • Carroll O'Connor
    Carroll O'Connor (1924)

    Carroll O'Connor was an American actor, producer, and director best known for his iconic role as Archie Bunker on the television sitcom 'All in the Family.' His career spanned several decades across stage, television, and film, earning him critical acclaim and multiple awards. [bio]

  • Kevin Smith
    Kevin Smith (1970)

    Kevin Smith is an American filmmaker, actor, comedian, public speaker, and comic book writer best known for his cult-classic films and for creating the View Askewniverse. He rose to fame with his debut film 'Clerks' and has continued to work in film, television, and comics. [bio]

  • Dom DeLuise
    Dom DeLuise (1933)

    Dom DeLuise was an American actor, comedian, director, and chef, known for his larger-than-life personality, comedic timing, and prolific film and television career, especially in the 1970s and 1980s. [bio]

  • Edward Furlong
    Edward Furlong (1977)

    Edward Furlong is an American actor best known for his breakthrough role as John Connor in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991). He later appeared in several notable films throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. [bio]

  • Jack Warner
    Jack Warner (1892)

    Jack Warner was a Canadian-American film executive and co-founder of Warner Bros. Studios, who played a pivotal role in shaping the Golden Age of Hollywood. Renowned for his business acumen and lasting impact on the film industry, Warner was instrumental in producing many of Hollywood’s landmark films. [bio]

  • More celebrities born on August 2

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RIP

Who died on August 2?

On August 2nd the following celebrities died:


  • Jean-Pierre Melville
    Jean-Pierre Melville (1973)

    Jean-Pierre Melville was a renowned French film director, screenwriter, and producer, celebrated as a pioneer of the French New Wave and known for his mastery of crime and film noir genres. His distinctive style, blending American noir aesthetics with French existentialism, has had a lasting influence on both French and international cinema. [bio]

  • William Burroughs
    William Burroughs (1997)

    William S. Burroughs was an influential American writer and visual artist, widely recognized as a major figure of the Beat Generation. He is best known for his subversive novels that explore themes of addiction, sexuality, and social control, particularly his seminal work 'Naked Lunch'. Burroughs' style and subject matter have had a significant impact on literature, pop culture, and the … [bio]

  • Cathleen Nesbitt
    Cathleen Nesbitt (1982)

    English actress (separate tables) dies at 93.

  • Vin Scully
    Vin Scully (2022)

    Vin Scully was a legendary sports broadcaster who spent an unprecedented 67 seasons as the play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles...

  • Thomas Gainsborough
    Thomas Gainsborough (1788)

    Thomas Gainsborough was an English portrait and landscape painter who was one of the most influential British artists of the 18th century.

  • Raymond Carver
    Raymond Carver (1988)

    Raymond Carver was a seminal American short story writer and poet who revolutionized minimalist fiction in the late 20th century.

  • Ahmed Zewail
    Ahmed Zewail (2016)

    Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian-American chemist who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of femtochemistry, revolutionizing our...

  • James Jamerson
    James Jamerson (1983)

    Legendary Motown bass player who was a key member of the Funk Brothers, the most recorded music group in history, significantly contributing...

  • Thurman Munson
    Thurman Munson (1979)

    Legendary New York Yankees catcher who was a key player in the 1970s, known for his intense competitiveness and exceptional skills behind...

  • Michel Debré
    Michel Debré (1996)

    Prominent French politician and statesman who played a crucial role in post-World War II France.

  • More famous people died on August 2

calendar

What day of the year is August 2?


August 2nd marks the 214th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 215th in case of leap years).

There are 151 days remaining until the end of the year.

August 2nd is the 2nd day of the month of August.

What day of the week is August 2?

On August 2nd, 2026 the day of the week is Sunday.

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Holidays and Observances on August 2

zodiac

What zodiac sign is associated with the day August 2?