Fact 1: The August 02 Connection to Rome's History
On August 2, 216 BC, one of the most momentous battles in the history of Ancient Rome took place - the Battle of Cannae, during the Second Punic War. It is notable for being a major victory for Carthage and considered one of the greatest tactical feats accomplished by any military force in history.
Fact 2: President Warren G. Harding’s Death
August 02, 1923, is marked by the death of the 29th President of the United States, Warren G. Harding. Harding served from March 4, 1921, until his death in 1923. His term in office was marked by scandals, among which the most famous was the Teapot Dome scandal.
Fact 3: The First Lincoln Penny
The first Lincoln penny was issued on August 2, 1909. The coin, with Abraham Lincoln's portrait on one side, was the first U.S. coin to feature a historical figure. It was created to celebrate the centennial of Lincoln's birth.
Fact 4: August 02 and German History
August 02 has a significant spot in German history. On this day in 1934, President Paul Von Hindenburg died, making Adolf Hitler the absolute dictator of Germany. Hitler merged the roles of president and chancellor to become Führer und Reichskanzler
Fact 5: Birth of the Queen Mother
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, fondly called the 'Smiling Duchess', was born on August 2, 1900. She was the wife of King George VI and the mother of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret.
Fact 6: The End of the Batista Regime in Cuba
On August 2, 1933, the reign of Cuban Dictator Gerardo Machado came to an end. This event ushered in the era of Fulgencio Batista, who dominated the Cuban political scene until Fidel Castro's revolution in 1959.
Fact 7: Launching of the Phoenix Mars Lander
NASA launched the Phoenix Mars Lander on August 2, 2007. It was a space probe that studied the history of water and sought to find evidence of life in the Martian arctic's ice-rich soil.
Fact 8: Creation of the U.S. Foreign Service
On August 2, 1909, the U.S. Foreign Service was born when Congress created the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce to foster and promote foreign and domestic commerce.
Fact 9: “Through the Wire” Release
On August 2, 2004, rapper Kanye West released his debut single "Through the Wire," a song he recorded while his jaw was wired shut following a car accident. The song was a commercial success and established him in the music industry.
Fact 10: Saddam Hussein’s Trial Begins
On August 2, 2004, Saddam Hussein appears before a judge in Baghdad, formally facing charges of crimes against humanity during his presidency in Iraq. This marked the beginning of his trial.
Fact 11: Birth of Mary-Louise Parker
Emmy and Tony award-winning actress Mary-Louise Parker was born on August 2, 1964. She is best known for her roles in "Weeds", "RED", and "Angels in America".
Fact 12: The Great Train Robbery
The infamous "Great Train Robbery" in England occurred on August 2, 1963, when robbers attacked a Royal Mail train and stole £2.6 million (equivalent to around £53 million today).
Fact 13: The Assembly of First Parliament of Jordan
On August 2, 1952, the first Parliament of Jordan convened following the country's independence from Britain in 1946. This marked an important step towards democratic governance in Jordan.
Fact 14: Start of the African World War
August 2, 1998, marked the beginning of the Second Congo War, also known as the African World War. It involved multiple African nations and became the deadliest conflict worldwide since World War II.
Fact 15: Release of “American Pie”
The comedy film "American Pie" was released on August 2, 1999. It quickly gained popularity and led to several sequels and spin-offs.
Fact 16: First Woman Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
On August 2, 2014, the first woman, Clare Dunn, debuted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame during a concert at the prestigious event.
Fact 17: The Geneva Convention of 1949
On August 2, 1949, the Geneva Convention established the standards of international law for humanitarian treatment during war. The convention is adhered to by all recognized states globally.
Fact 18: The World's First Nuclear Chain Reaction
On August 2, 1939, the world's first nuclear chain reaction was conceived when Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Roosevelt about the potential of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons.
Fact 19: Adolf Hitler's Book
Adolf Hitler's book, "My Struggle" (Mein Kampf), was published on August 2, 1925. It outlined his political ideology and future plans for Germany.
Fact 20: Founding of CNN en Español
On August 2, 1997, CNN en Español, the Spanish version of the famous cable news network, was launched as the sister broadcasting network of CNN, meant to cater to the Spanish-speaking audience in America and around the world.