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
June 2 Tuesday, June 2, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on June 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
8
Holidays
260
World history 1766 years ago
Sima Zhao's regicide of Cao Mao: The figurehead Wei emperor Cao Mao personally leads an attempt to oust his regent, Sima Zhao; the attempted coup is crushed and the emperor killed.
The figurehead Wei emperor Cao Mao personally leads a failed coup attempt against his regent Sima Zhao and is killed in the fighting.
History
What happened on June 2
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 260World history
Sima Zhao's regicide of Cao Mao: The figurehead Wei emperor Cao Mao personally leads an attempt to oust his regent, Sima Zhao; the attempted coup is crushed and the emperor killed.
The figurehead Wei emperor Cao Mao personally leads a failed coup attempt against his regent Sima Zhao and is killed in the fighting.
- 455War
Sack of Rome: Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks.
Vandals led by Gaiseric enter Rome and plunder the city for two weeks.
- 575Religion
Pope Benedict I is consecrated after obtaining imperial approval from Constantinople.
Pope Benedict I is consecrated following approval from the Byzantine Empire.
- 1098War
First Crusade: The first Siege of Antioch ends as Crusader forces take the city; the second siege began five days later.
Crusader forces capture Antioch, only to face a second siege five days later.
- 1259Royalty
Wedding of Manfred, King of Sicily, and Byzantine princess Helena Angelina Doukaina.
Manfred, King of Sicily, marries Byzantine princess Helena Angelina Doukaina, strengthening ties between the Norman kingdom and the Byzantine Empire.
- 1608US history
The Colony of Virginia gets a charter, extending borders from "sea to sea".
The Colony of Virginia receives a charter expanding its borders from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
- 1615Canadian history
The first Récollet missionaries arrive at Quebec City, from Rouen, France.
Récollet missionaries arrive in Quebec City from Rouen, marking the beginning of their religious and cultural influence in New France.
- 1774US history
Intolerable Acts: The Quartering Act of 1774 is enacted, allowing a governor in colonial America to house British soldiers in uninhabited houses, outhouses, barns, or other buildings if suitable quarters are not provided.
The Quartering Act allows British soldiers to be housed in private American properties if adequate military barracks are unavailable.
- 1780UK history
The anti-Catholic Gordon Riots in London leave an estimated 300 to 700 people dead.
Violent riots break out in London, leaving between 300 and 700 people dead.
- 1805War
Napoleonic Wars: A Franco-Spanish fleet recaptures from the British the island of Diamond Rock, which guards the entrance to the bay leading to Fort-de-France, Martinique.
A Franco-Spanish fleet retakes Diamond Rock from the British, securing the entrance to Fort-de-France Bay in Martinique.
- 1896Technology
Guglielmo Marconi applies for a patent for his wireless telegraph.
Guglielmo Marconi files a patent application for his invention of the wireless telegraph.
- 1983Disaster
After an emergency landing because of an in-flight fire, twenty-three passengers aboard Air Canada Flight 797 are killed when a flashover occurs as the plane's doors open. Because of this incident, numerous new safety regulations are put in place.
A flashover kills 23 passengers aboard Air Canada Flight 797 moments after an emergency landing, prompting sweeping aviation safety reforms.
Born today
Famous birthdays on June 2
7 this date All birthdays
Charles
Duke of Vendôme
Charles de Bourbon, the French soldier and Prince du Sang who served in the Italian Wars under Louis XII and François I, was born today in 1489.
Born
1489
Died
1537
John Randolph of Roanoke
American planter and politician, 8th United States Ambassador to Russia
1773 – 1833
Adelaide Casely-Hayford
Sierra Leone Creole advocate and activist for cultural nationalism
1865 – 1960
Sally Kellerman
American actress
1937 – 2022
Kevin Brownlow
English historian and author
b. 1938 · 88
Chris Higgins
American ice hockey player
b. 1983 · 43
Miyuki Sawashiro
Japanese voice actress and singer
b. 1985 · 41
Music
The number one songs on June 2
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on June 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 June 2, 1962
During the FIFA World Cup, police had to intervene multiple times in fights between Chilean and Italian players in one of the most violent games in football history.
Police intervened multiple times as Chilean and Italian players clashed violently on the field.
Read the story
🔬 Science June 2, 1866
The Fenians defeat Canadian forces at Ridgeway and Fort Erie, but the raids end soon after.
The Fenians defeat Canadian forces in battles at Ridgeway and Fort Erie, though their raids conclude shortly thereafter.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Children's Day (North Korea)
International
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country
Civil Aviation Day (Azerbaijan)
International
There are several public holidays in Azerbaijan
Coronation of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, also Social Forestry Day (Bhutan)
International
Public holidays in Bhutan consist of both national holidays and local festivals or tshechus
Day of Hristo Botev (Bulgaria)
International
Hristo Botev, born Hristo Botyov Petkov, was a Bulgarian revolutionary and poet
Decoration Day (Canada)
International
Decoration Day is a Canadian holiday that recognizes veterans of Canada's military
Festa della Repubblica (Italy)
International
Festa della Repubblica is the Italian National Day and Republic Day, which is celebrated on 2 June each year, with the main celebration taking place in Rome