This Day In History : April 2

1792 United States

U.S. Dollar Introduced as Official Currency

On April 2, 1792, the U.S. dollar is officially introduced as the country’s standard currency with the passage of the Coinage Act. This landmark decision establishes a uniform currency system, crucial for the economic stability of the newly formed United States.

Also on This Day in History April 2

Discover what happened on April 2 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, April 2
  • 1875 Walter Chrysler

    American automobile pioneer, Founder of the Chrysler Corporation

  • 1618 Francesco Maria Grimaldi

    Italian mathematician and physicist who discovered light diffraction

  • 1725 Giacomo Casanova

    Italian explorer, author, adventurer 

  • 1934 Paul Joseph Cohen

    American mathematician who worked on Cohen forcing, Continuum hypothesis

  • 1878 Edward Kasner

    American mathematician who introduced the word googol

Deaths on This Day, April 2
  • 1872 Samuel F. B. Morse

    American painter and inventor of the telegraph

  • 1922 Hermann Rorschach

    Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst

  • 1995 Hannes Alfven

    Swedish electrical engineer and plasma physicist, Nobel Prize 1970

  • 2002 John R. Pierce

    American communications engineer known as Father of the communications satellite (1st communications satellite Telstar 1)

  • 1952 Bernard Lyot

    French astronomer who invented the coronagraph

2019

Canada Warming at Twice the Global Average, Federal Report Reveals

On April 2, 2019, a federal report highlights that Canada is experiencing climate change at twice the global rate, with temperatures in northern Canada rising by 2.3% more than the global average. This accelerated warming has significant implications for the country’s environment and ecosystems.
1964

USSR Launches Zond 1 Towards Venus

On April 2, 1964, the USSR launches the Zond 1 spacecraft with a mission to Venus. Although the spacecraft ultimately fails to return any data, the mission represents an early effort in interplanetary exploration.
1902

First Motion Picture Theater Opens in Los Angeles

On April 2, 1902, Los Angeles welcomes its first motion picture theater, marking a significant milestone in the development of the film industry. This establishment becomes a key venue for early cinema and contributes to the city's growing prominence in entertainment.
1911

Australia Conducts First National Census

On April 2, 1911, the Australian Bureau of Statistics conducts its first national census. This significant undertaking provides valuable demographic information for the country's development. The census collects data on population distribution and other key statistics.
Holiday
Special day
Discover invention