This Day In History : October 2

1958 Guinea

Guinea declares independence

Guinea declared its independence from France on October 2, 1958. This marked a significant moment in the country's history as it sought autonomy and self-governance, breaking away from colonial rule.

Also on This Day in History October 2

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

Births on This Day, October 2
  • 1852 William Ramsay

    Scottish chemist who discovered who discovered neon, krypton and xenon and co-discovered argon, radon, calcium and barium.

  • 1878 Conrad Schlumberger

    German geophysicist and petroleum engineer noted for the invention, in 1927, of a method of continuous electric logging of boreholes.

  • 1846 Eliza Maria Mosher

    American physician whose wide-ranging medical career included an educational focus on physical fitness and health maintenance.

  • 1832 Julius von Sachs

    Julius von Sachs was a German botanist from Breslau, Prussian Silesia. He is considered the founder of experimental plant physiology and co-founder of modern water culture.

  • 1854 Patrick Geddes

    Scottish biologist and sociologist who was one of the modern pioneers of the concept of town and regional planning.

Deaths on This Day, October 2
  • 1804 Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot

    French military engineer who invented the world's first fuel-propelled vehicle, a huge, heavy, steam-powered tricycle.

  • 1940 Freelan O. Stanley

    American inventor who, with his twin brother Francis, were the most famous manufacturers of steam-driven automobiles.

  • 1933 Philipp Forchheimer

    Austrian hydraulic engineer who made significant studies of groundwater hydrology.

  • 1968 Marcel Duchamp

    Henri-Robert-Marcel Duchamp was a French painter, sculptor, chess player, and writer whose work is associated with Cubism, Dada, and conceptual art.

  • 1895 Eugen Langen

    German engineer who pioneered in building internal-combustion engines.

1950

Charles M. Schultz publishes his first Peanuts cartoon

"Peanuts," the iconic comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz, was first published on October 2, 1950. It went on to become one of the most popular and influential comic strips of all time, known for its beloved characters such as Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and others.
1910

1st 2 aircraft collision (Milan Italy)

The first recorded aircraft collision occurred on October 2, 1910, in Milan, Italy. This incident involved two aircraft colliding in mid-air, highlighting early challenges and risks in aviation history.
1835

Battle of Gonzales

The Battle of Gonzales was fought on October 2, 1835, near the town of Gonzales, Texas, during the Texas Revolution. It marked the first military engagement between Texian settlers and Mexican forces. The battle began when Mexican soldiers attempted to retrieve a cannon that had been loaned to the settlers for defense against Native American raids. Texian militia refused to return the cannon, instead raising a homemade flag with the words "Come and Take It" painted on it.
2002

Beltway sniper attacks begin

The Beltway sniper attacks began on October 2, 2002, with a series of shootings in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Over a three-week period, ten people were killed and three others were critically injured in random shootings. The attacks caused widespread fear and led to a massive manhunt until the perpetrators, John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo, were apprehended.
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