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On this day in history - December 2

What Happened On This Day – December 2

  • 2001 Enron Files for Bankruptcy

    The Houston, Texas-based energy company filed for Chapter Eleven bankruptcy after reports of widespread accounting fraud became public. At that time, the company became the largest company in the history of the United States to declare bankruptcy.

  • 1988 Benazir Bhutto is sworn in as Prime Minister

    Benazir Bhutto takes office as Pakistan's Prime Minister, becoming the first woman PM of Pakistan.

  • 1982 First artificial heart transplant

    Barney Clark became the first person to receive a permanent artificial heart. The surgery occurred at the University of Utah Medical Center. Clark lived for 112 days after the transplant.

  • 1939 LaGuardia Airport in New York City opens its doors

    The airport was named after New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. American Airlines was the first carrier to regularly provide passenger service.

  • 1804 Napoleon is crowned Emperor of France

    Napoleon Bonaparte had risen through the ranks of the French army during the French revolution and became one of the most influential political figures of his era. His self-coronation as Napoleon I took place in Notre Dame in Paris, France.

Illustration of stork, signifying birth

Births On This Day,
December 2

  • 1981 Britney Spears

    American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress

  • 1978 Nelly Furtado

    Canadian singer-songwriter, producer

  • 1923 Maria Callas

    Greek soprano

  • 1825 Pedro II of Brazil

  • 1760 John Breckinridge

    American politician, 5th United States Attorney General

Illustration of tombstone, signifying death

Deaths On This Day,
December 2

  • 1993 Pablo Escobar

    Colombian drug lord

  • 1990 Aaron Copland

    American composer

  • 1985 Philip Larkin

    English poet

  • 1859 John Brown

    American activist

  • 1814 Marquis de Sade

    French author, politician