September 2 has witnessed pivotal moments that shaped global history. From the formal end of World War II in 1945 with Japan’s surrender on the USS Missouri to significant cultural and personal milestones, this date holds a wealth of stories. What other events mark this day, and how do they reflect the breadth of human experience? Explore further to uncover the layers of history woven into September 2.
History
Major Historical Events
1864 – Union Forces Capture Atlanta: During the American Civil War, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman led his troops to capture the city of Atlanta, Georgia, a critical Confederate stronghold.
This victory was a pivotal turning point in the war, boosting Northern morale and aiding President Abraham Lincoln’s re-election campaign.
1939 – Start of World War II Aftermath: Just one day after Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 2, 1939, marking the broader escalation of conflict in Europe.
This event solidified the beginning of World War II as alliances were tested and mobilized.
1945 – Formal Surrender of Japan: Aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, representatives of the Japanese government signed the Instrument of Surrender, officially ending World War II.
This historic moment came weeks after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with Allied leaders, including General Douglas MacArthur, overseeing the ceremony.
1969 – First ATM in the United States: The first automated teller machine (ATM) in the United States was installed by Chemical Bank in Rockville Centre, New York.
This marked a revolutionary step in banking technology, allowing customers to withdraw cash without interacting with a teller.
1987 – Trial of Mathias Rust Begins: The trial of Mathias Rust, a young West German pilot, began in Moscow after he illegally landed a small plane near Red Square in May of that year.
His audacious act embarrassed Soviet authorities and highlighted vulnerabilities in their air defense systems.
Famous Birthdays
1853 – Frederick Soddy: A British chemist and Nobel Prize laureate, Frederick Soddy was born in Eastbourne, England.
He is renowned for his work on radioactivity and the concept of isotopes, greatly contributing to the understanding of atomic structure.
1964 – Keanu Reeves: Canadian actor Keanu Reeves was born in Beirut, Lebanon.
Known for iconic roles in films like “The Matrix” and “John Wick,” Reeves has become a beloved figure in Hollywood for his versatility and humble persona.
1966 – Salma Hayek: Mexican-American actress and producer Salma Hayek was born in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico.
She rose to fame with roles in films like “Frida,” earning an Academy Award nomination, and has since been a prominent advocate for women’s rights in the entertainment industry.
1982 – Joey Barton: English professional footballer Joey Barton was born in Huyton, England.
Known for his midfield prowess and controversial career, Barton played for clubs like Manchester City and Newcastle United.
Notable Deaths
1973 – J.R.R. Tolkien: The beloved British author and scholar J.R.R. Tolkien passed away at the age of 81 in Bournemouth, England.
Creator of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” Tolkien’s works have left an indelible mark on fantasy literature.
2001 – Christiaan Barnard: South African cardiac surgeon Christiaan Barnard died at the age of 78 in Paphos, Cyprus.
He performed the world’s first successful human-to-human heart transplant in 1967, revolutionizing medical science.
2020 – David Graeber: American anthropologist and activist David Graeber passed away at the age of 59 in Venice, Italy.
Known for his influential book “Debt: The First 5,000 Years,” Graeber was a key figure in the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Today in Music History
1965 – The Beatles Begin Recording ‘Abbey Road’ Tracks: The Beatles started recording sessions for what would become their iconic album “Abbey Road” at EMI Studios in London.
Tracks like “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun” were born during these sessions, cementing the album’s legacy.
1970 – Genesis Releases ‘Trespass’: The progressive rock band Genesis released their second studio album, “Trespass,” in the UK.
This album marked an early milestone in their career, showcasing their evolving sound before achieving mainstream success.
1995 – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Opens: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum officially opened its doors in Cleveland, Ohio, with a concert featuring legends like Chuck Berry and Bruce Springsteen.
The event celebrated the history and impact of rock music.
Today in Sports History
1902 – First Night Football Game: The first recorded night football game in the United States took place in Elmira, New York, under electric lights.
This innovation paved the way for evening sports events, changing how games were scheduled and viewed.
1960 – Wilma Rudolph Wins Olympic Gold: At the Rome Olympics, American sprinter Wilma Rudolph won the 100-meter dash, becoming the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympic Games.
Her triumph was a powerful symbol of overcoming adversity.
1973 – Billy Jean King’s Pre-Match Press: Ahead of the iconic “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, Billie Jean King held a press conference on this day to discuss her upcoming match against Bobby Riggs.
The event became a cultural milestone for gender equality in sports.
2005 – Randy Johnson’s Milestone Strikeouts: Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson recorded his 4,500th career strikeout, joining an elite group of MLB pitchers.
His dominance on the mound solidified his status as one of baseball’s greatest.
Today in Military and Naval History
1789 – U.S. Treasury Department Established: While not a direct military event, the establishment of the U.S. Department of the Treasury on this date played a vital role in funding military operations during the early years of the United States, ensuring resources for defense.
1945 – Japanese Surrender on USS Missouri: As mentioned earlier, the formal surrender of Japan to Allied forces occurred aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, officially ending World War II.
This naval setting underscored the importance of maritime power in the conflict.
1963 – Vietnam War Escalation Concerns: On this day, President John F. Kennedy was interviewed on CBS by Walter Cronkite, where he expressed concerns about the Vietnam War.
This marked a pivotal public discussion on U.S. military involvement in the region.
Today in Tech and Science History
1969 – First U.S. ATM Installation: As noted earlier, Chemical Bank in New York installed the first ATM in the United States, revolutionizing personal banking and setting the stage for future financial technology innovations.
1995 – eBay Founded: Online marketplace eBay was founded by Pierre Omidyar as “AuctionWeb” on this day.
What began as a platform for selling collectibles transformed into a global e-commerce giant, changing how people buy and sell goods.
2013 – NASA’s LADEE Launch: NASA launched the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission to study the moon’s thin atmosphere.
This mission provided critical data for future lunar explorations.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1666 – Great Fire of London Begins: The devastating Great Fire of London started on this day, destroying much of the city over the next few days.
This event inspired numerous artistic and literary works, including diary entries by Samuel Pepys, documenting the catastrophe.
1937 – ‘The Hobbit’ Published in the U.S.: Although first published in the UK earlier, J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” received considerable attention as it began circulating in the United States around this time of year, enchanting readers with its imaginative storytelling.
1963 – CBS Evening News Expands: The CBS Evening News, anchored by Walter Cronkite, became the first half-hour weeknight news broadcast in the United States, shaping how cultural and political events were reported to the public.
1984 – ‘Miami Vice’ Cultural Impact: While the show premiered slightly later, on this day promotional materials and buzz for “Miami Vice” were peaking.
This set the stage for a series that would redefine television aesthetics with its music and style in the 1980s.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1909 – World’s First Skyscraper Fire Drill: On this day, the first recorded fire drill in a skyscraper took place in New York City.
While now a standard safety practice, the idea of evacuating such a tall building was considered bizarre and logistically challenging at the time.
1969 – ATM Card Confusion: When the first ATM was installed in New York, many customers were baffled by the concept of a machine dispensing cash.
Some reportedly tried to talk to the machine as if it were a bank teller.
1987 – Mathias Rust’s Odd Landing: As mentioned, Mathias Rust’s unauthorized landing near Red Square was not only a political scandal but also a bizarre moment in history.
The 19-year-old claimed he simply wanted to promote peace with his stunt.
Today in History for Kids
1945 – End of a Big War: A long and terrible war called World War II finally ended on this day when Japan signed a paper to stop fighting.
This happened on a big ship called the USS Missouri, and it meant people around the world could start rebuilding their lives.
1960 – A Super Fast Runner: A woman named Wilma Rudolph won a gold medal for running really fast at the Olympics in Rome.
She had been sick as a child but worked hard to become a champion, showing kids that you can overcome big challenges.
1969 – Money from a Machine: Imagine getting money from a machine instead of a person!
On this day, the first ATM, a machine that gives out cash, was set up in New York.
It was like magic for people back then.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1666 – Great Fire’s Odd Start: The Great Fire of London, which began on this day, is believed to have started in a bakery on Pudding Lane.
A small spark turned into a huge disaster that changed the city forever.
1945 – Surrender Broadcast Worldwide: The Japanese surrender ceremony on the USS Missouri was broadcast live via radio across the globe.
This allowed millions to hear the historic moment as it happened, a rare feat for the time.
1969 – ATM’s First Transaction: The very first ATM transaction in the U.S. on this day was a simple withdrawal.
It took months for people to trust the machines enough to use them regularly.
1995 – eBay’s First Sale: The first item sold on eBay, then called AuctionWeb, was a broken laser pointer for $14.83.
The buyer later said he collected broken gadgets, making it a quirky start to an online empire.
2013 – Lunar Dust Mission: NASA’s LADEE mission, launched on this day, revealed surprising facts about lunar dust.
This dust behaves differently due to the moon’s lack of atmosphere, helping scientists plan safer missions.