Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
August 2 Sunday, August 2, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 2 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
5
Holidays
1776
US history 250 years ago
The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence takes place.
The Continental Congress formally signs the Declaration of Independence, establishing the United States as a sovereign nation separate from British rule.
History
What happened on August 2
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -338European history
A Macedonian army led by Philip II defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the Battle of Chaeronea, securing Macedonian hegemony in Greece and the Aegean.
Philip II of Macedonia defeats Athens and Thebes at the Battle of Chaeronea, establishing Macedonian dominance in Greece.
- -216War
The Carthaginian army led by Hannibal defeats a numerically superior Roman army at the Battle of Cannae.
Hannibal outmaneuvers the Romans, achieving one of history's most devastating military victories with a smaller force.
- -49World history
Caesar, who marched to Spain earlier in the year, leaving Marcus Antonius in charge of Italy, defeats Pompey's general Afranius and Petreius in Ilerda (Lerida) north of the Ebro river.
Caesar defeats Pompey’s generals Afranius and Petreius in Ilerda, north of the Ebro River.
- 461World history
Majorian is arrested near Tortona (northern Italy) and deposed by the Suebian general Ricimer as puppet emperor.
Majorian is arrested near Tortona and deposed by Ricimer, ending his brief rule as Roman emperor.
- 932European history
After a two-year siege, the city of Toledo, in Spain, surrenders to the forces of the Caliph of Córdoba Abd al-Rahman III, assuming an important victory in his campaign to subjugate the Central March.
Toledo surrenders to Abd al-Rahman III's forces after a two-year siege, marking a significant victory in his campaign to control the Central March.
- 1274UK history
Edward I of England returns from the Ninth Crusade and is crowned King seventeen days later.
Edward I returns from the Ninth Crusade and is crowned king十七天后。请注意，这里的“十七天后”需要翻译或调整以符合英文表达习惯。 重新表述如下： Edward I returns from the Ninth Crusade and is crowned king seventeen days later.
- 1343European history
After the execution of her husband, Jeanne de Clisson sells her estates and raises a force of men with which to attack French shipping and ports.
Jeanne de Clisson sells her estates and raises a force to attack French ships and ports after her husband's execution.
- 1377War
Russian troops are defeated by forces of the Blue Horde Khan Arapsha in the Battle on Pyana River.
Russian troops suffer a defeat at the hands of the Blue Horde Khan Arapsha's forces in a battle on the Pyana River.
- 1415UK history
Thomas Grey is executed for participating in the Southampton Plot.
Thomas Grey, 2nd Earl of Kent, is beheaded for his role in the Southampton Plot to assassinate King Henry V.
- 1492European history
The Jews are expelled from Spain: 40,000-200,000 leave. Sultan Bayezid II of the Ottoman Empire, learning of this, dispatches the Ottoman Navy to bring the Jews safely to Ottoman lands, mainly to the cities of Thessaloniki (in modern-day Greece) and İzmir (in modern-day Turkey).
Sultan Bayezid II dispatches the Ottoman Navy to bring expelled Spanish Jews safely to Ottoman lands, with many settling in Thessaloniki and İzmir.
- 1610World history
During Henry Hudson's search for the Northwest Passage, he sails into what is now known as Hudson Bay.
Henry Hudson sails into what is now called Hudson Bay during his quest for the Northwest Passage.
- 1776US history
The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence takes place.
The Continental Congress formally signs the Declaration of Independence, establishing the United States as a sovereign nation separate from British rule.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 2
7 this date All birthdays
Helen Morgan
American actress and singer
Helen Morgan, the American torch singer who starred as Julie LaVerne in the original 1927 Broadway production of "Show Boat," was born today in 1900.
Born
1900
Died
1941
Irving Babbitt
American academic and critic
1865 – 1933
Shimon Peres
Polish-Israeli lawyer and politician, 9th President of Israel
1923 – 2016
Ike Williams
American boxer
1923 – 1994
Jules A. Hoffmann
Luxembourgish-French biologist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate
b. 1941 · 85
Neal Morse
American singer and keyboard player
b. 1960 · 66
Kevin Smith
American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
b. 1970 · 56
Music
The number one songs on August 2
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 2, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport August 2, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science August 2, 1932
The positron (antiparticle of the electron) is discovered by Carl D. Anderson.
Carl D. Anderson discovers the positron, the antiparticle of the electron.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Day of Azerbaijani cinema (Azerbaijan)
International
Cinema of Azerbaijan dates back to the 19th century
Our Lady of the Angels Day (Costa Rica)
International
The Virgen de los Ángeles is Costa Rica's patroness saint, also known as la negrita
Paratroopers Day (Russia)
International
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the arm
Republic Day (North Macedonia)
International
Republic Day or Ilinden is a national holiday in North Macedonia
Romani genocide-related observances, including: Roma Holocaust Memorial Day (Council of Europe, European Parliament)
International
Roma Holocaust Memorial Day is a memorial day that commemorates the victims of the Sinti and Romani Holocaust, which resulted in the murder of an estimated 220,000-500,000 Sinti and Romani people by N