Fact 1: World UFO Day
World UFO Day is celebrated every year on July 2. This oddly amusing holiday aims to raise awareness of the existence of unidentified flying objects and extraterrestrial life. It’s the perfect day to relax, gaze at the night sky, and wonder what might be out there in the vast unknown.
Fact 2: The Roswell UFO Incident
It's no coincidence UFO Day is celebrated on this date. This day marks the anniversary of the Roswell UFO Incident in 1947, where a supposed UFO crash occurred in the United States, stirring up a massive conundrum involving aliens and government cover-up theories.
Fact 3: Thurgood Marshall Joins the Supreme Court
July 2, 1967, is an important day in American civil rights history as Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Justice, was nominated to the Supreme Court. A true, trailblazing pioneer, Marshall served for nearly 24 years and played integral roles in numerous historical rulings.
Fact 4: Amelia Earhart Disappeared
On July 2, 1937, the outstanding aviatrix Amelia Earhart disintegrated during an ambitious global flight near Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean. Her disappearance remains one of the most fascinating missing people cases in history, adding to the intrigue of July 2.
Fact 3: Independence Day in Several Countries
July 2 is not just another ordinary day; it is the day of independence for multiple countries. In the Comoros, it's known as Independence from France Day, and in Bahia, it's Bahia Independence Day. Two different continents with one shared date to commemorate their liberation.
Fact 6: The Hatch Act Became Law
July 2, 1939, is when The Hatch Act became law in the United States – a federal law that limits certain political activities of federal employees to ensure that federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion.
Fact 7: Johnny Weir’s Birthday
Interesting individuals are born on this day too. Johnny Weir, the renowned figure skater and fashion icon, was born on July 2, 1984. Weir is an Olympian known for his elaborate costumes and outspoken nature, making him a standout personality in the sporting world.
Fact 8: Solar Eclipes Often Happen on July 2
Remarkably, solar eclipses have been noted to often occur on July 2. The most recent total solar eclipse on this date was in 2019, where it was visible in South America. If you're into celestial phenomena, July 2 is a day to mark on your calendar!
Fact 9: The Civil Rights Act Becomes Law
Another significant milestone in American history transpired on July 2, 1964. The Civil Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, outlawing segregation in public places and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Fact 10: Vannevar Bush Ponders "As We May Think"
On July 2, 1945, Vannevar Bush's futuristic essay 'As We May Think' was published in The Atlantic Monthly. He envisioned a machine called a "memex,” laying the conceptual groundwork for the World Wide Web.
Fact 11: Wimbledon's Longest Match
July 2nd, 2006, was the date of the longest Women's singles match at Wimbledon with over three hours of electrifying tennis between Maria Sharapova and Nathalie Dechy.
Fact 12: Laser Invents Optical Memory
July 2, 1982, marked a technological breakthrough: the patenting of the first optical memory system using lasers by James J. Wynne and his team at IBM. This innovation paved the way for modern information storage systems, including CDs and DVDs.
Fact 13: Hottest Temperature in Canada
The highest temperature ever recorded in Canada was on July 2, 1937, in the town of Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan – a scorching 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit).
Fact 14: Inauguration of the Continental Dollar
July 2, 1776, is historically important for American finance as the Continental Congress approved the design of the continental dollar, becoming the first standardized currency of the United States.
Fact 15: Medgar Evers Birthdate
Medgar Evers, a pivotal civil rights activist and war veteran, was born on July 2, 1925. His activist work made him a prominent figure in the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
Fact 16: Sony Walkman Released
The first Sony Walkman, TPS-L2, was released on July 2, 1979. Revolutionizing the music industry, it introduced the concept of portable, personal music to the world.
Fact 17: World's First Nuclear Power Plant
On July 2, 1955, the world's first nuclear power plant, Obninsk, began operations in Russia. A momentous leap for power generation technology.
Fact 18: Construction of the Atomium
Belgium's amusing Atomium, a model of an iron atom magnified 165 billion times, opened to the public on July 2, 1958. It's a must-visit for any science enthusiast touring Europe!
Fact 19: Launch of Apollo 15's Lunar Rover
Apollo 15, NASA's ninth crewed mission, was launched into space on July 2, 1971. It was unique as it carried the first lunar rover - the “moon buggy” that astronauts would use to drive around on the moon.
Fact 20: Formation of the National Weather Service
On July 2, 1890, the United States Weather Bureau (now called the National Weather Service) was established. As a result, weather forecasts and storm warnings began to be recognized as a public service.