On This Day - October 2nd
This October 2nd, we think you should focus more on the day than the Halloween festivities and cold nights ahead. Believe it or not, today's pretty important for lots of reasons – historically and culturally. Here are some of the most important things to know about October 2nd, and congratulations if you're already celebrating today.
On this day
The Battle of Largs took place.
In 1263, on this very day, the Battle of Largs took place in which the Scottish defeated the Norwegians on the Firth of Clyde. In doing so, they returned the Western Isles to Scotland and ended 500 years of Viking invasions!
Jacques Cartier made an important discovery.
In 1535, Jacques Cartier made the important discovery of Mount Royal. You may know it better now as Montreal, Canada – now you know where the name comes from!
Chongzhen rose to the throne.
In 1627, Chongzhen, the Last Emperor of the Chinese Ming dynasty, came to the throne. He became Emperor following the death of his brother, Emperor Tianqi.
Thurgood Marshall was sworn in and made history.
In 1967, Thurgood Marshall was sworn into the Supreme Court. He was the first ever black Supreme Court Justice, a huge moment for US history and civil representation.
Northern Ireland suffered a tragedy during the Troubles.
In 1975, the Ulster Volunteer Force killed seven civilians in multiple attacks across Northern Ireland. Six of the victims were Catholic, and one was Protestant. Tragically, they wouldn’t be the final fatalities of the Troubles in the years to come.
Special Days Falling on October 2nd
October 2nd is an important date for people all over the world. From Independence Days to international celebrations, there's a lot to consider today! Here are some of the most important events taking place on October 2nd!
Guinea Independence Day
Every October 2nd, the country of Guinea celebrates its independence from France. Today, people all over the country celebrate the nation’s independence with all kinds of sporting events, dances, and parades – it’s worth celebrating even if you live outside of the country!
International Day of Non-Violence
October 2nd is a very important date for people all over the world. International Day of Non-Violence was created by the UN in 2007, and they chose an already important date, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. His pacifism and activism inspired and continue to inspire millions everywhere, so it seems the perfect day to honor the notion of peace and strive for progress without using force or violence.
Guardian Angels Day
October 2nd is also Guardian Angels Day. The day is usually celebrated by Catholics to recognize the importance of guardian angels. However, some, even outside of the faith, choose to honor it and those they consider their own guardian angels. Guardian angels have a protective role in our lives, guiding us and protecting us from harm. So, it’s no wonder they should get their own day! And, whether you have faith or not, it is a great opportunity to thank those in your life who have guided and protected you.
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This page was last modified on September 21, 2023. Suggest an edit
This month in history
Stalin was moved! In 1961, former USSR leader Joseph Stalin’s body was removed from the mausoleum in Red Square and placed in the Kremlin. His name was also removed from public areas such as buildings, streets, etc. Stalingrad was then renamed Volgograd. This was all part of the de-Stalinization program in Russia – though many believe the dictator was a positive influence in some ways, many more refuse to acknowledge his reign.
Famous Birthdays on October 2nd
Richard III, King of England, born 1452
Nat Turner, American slave rebellion leader, born 1800
William Ramsay, Scottish chemist, born 1852
Charles Ricketts, British artist and illustrator, born 1866
Mahatma Gandhi, Indian independence activist and spiritual leader, born 1869
If you were born on October 2nd…
…you’re a Libra! You’re a very compassionate and empathetic person. You also have a very strong sense of justice and cannot stand when things aren’t fair. It’s probably fitting, then, that your Zodiac sign is the scales! If you want to dig deeper into what makes you tick, head over to our Libra Facts page to learn more.
