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On this day in history - August 2

What Happened On This Day – August 2

  • 1998 Second Congo War Begins

    The deadliest war in Africa, the war and its aftermath has killed an estimated 5.4 million people. The war started with a mutiny in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and soon involved 9 African nations. It lasted for 5 years.

  • 1990 Invasion of Kuwait begins

    In 2 days Iraqi forces had overrun Kuwaiti forces and Saddam Hussein declared Kuwait as the 19th province of Iraq. The invasion lasted for 7 months and ended after a UN-authorized coalition force led by the United States intervened.

  • 1958 The Arab Federation is dissolved

    The short-lived federation of Jordan and Iraq was dissolved after King Faisal of Iraq was deposed and assassinated during the 14 July Revolution.

  • 1945 The Potsdam Conference which is convened to negotiate the terms of the end of WW II comes to an end

    Representatives from the US, U.K., and Soviet Union participated in the conference.

  • 1870 World's first underground railway opened

    The Tower Subway beneath river Thames in London opened its doors for passengers. The subway was closed within a few months because of bankruptcy. The tunnel is now used for utilities.

Illustration of stork, signifying birth

Births On This Day,
August 2

  • 1981 Alexander Emelianenko

    Russian mixed martial artist

  • 1964 Mary-Louise Parker

    American actress

  • 1932 Peter O'Toole

    Irish actor

  • 1892 Jack Warner

    Canadian/American film producer

  • 1820 John Tyndall

    British physicist

Illustration of tombstone, signifying death

Deaths On This Day,
August 2

  • 1997 Fela Kuti

    Nigerian singer-songwriter, musician, activist

  • 1934 Paul von Hindenburg

    Prussian/German field marshal, politician, 2nd President of Germany

  • 1923 Warren G. Harding

    American politician, 29th President of the United States

  • 1922 Alexander Graham Bell

    Scottish/American engineer, invented the Telephone

  • 1921 Enrico Caruso

    Italian tenor