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
1The Battle of Largs was fought.
On 2 October 1263, Scottish forces under Alexander III fought a Norwegian army led by King Haakon IV at Largs on the Firth of Clyde. The battle itself was small and indecisive, but Haakon withdrew and died soon after, and in 1266 Norway handed the Western Isles to Scotland in the Treaty of Perth.
2Jacques 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!
3Chongzhen 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.
4Thurgood 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.
5Northern Ireland suffered a day of killings.
On 2 October 1975, the Ulster Volunteer Force carried out a series of gun and bomb attacks across Northern Ireland, killing seven civilians, six of them Catholic. Four UVF members were also killed when their own bomb exploded early. It was one of the bloodiest days of the Troubles.
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.
This month in history
Stalin’s body was removed from Lenin’s tomb. On the night of 31 October 1961, as part of Nikita Khrushchev’s campaign against Stalin’s legacy, Joseph Stalin’s body was taken out of the mausoleum on Red Square, where it had lain beside Lenin, and buried by the Kremlin Wall. Days later, the city of Stalingrad was renamed Volgograd.
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.
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