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
March 2 Monday, March 2, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 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
6
Holidays
1331
War 695 years ago
Fall of Nicaea to the Ottoman Turks after a siege.
Nicaea falls to the Ottoman Turks following a prolonged siege, marking an important early conquest in the empire's expansion into Byzantine Anatolia.
History
What happened on March 2
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 537War
Siege of Rome: The Ostrogoth army under king Vitiges begins the siege of the capital. Belisarius conducts a delaying action outside the Flaminian Gate; he and a detachment of his bucellarii are almost cut off.
Belisarius leads a delaying action against Vitiges' Ostrogoth army at Rome's Flaminian Gate, nearly becoming cut off with his bucellarii cavalry.
- 986European history
Louis V becomes the last Carolingian king of West Francia after the death of his father, Lothaire.
Louis V becomes the last Carolingian king of West Francia following his father Lothaire's death.
- 1331War
Fall of Nicaea to the Ottoman Turks after a siege.
Nicaea falls to the Ottoman Turks following a prolonged siege, marking an important early conquest in the empire's expansion into Byzantine Anatolia.
- 1476European history
Burgundian Wars: The Old Swiss Confederacy hands Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, a major defeat in the Battle of Grandson in Canton of Neuchâtel.
The Old Swiss Confederacy defeats Charles the Bold in the Battle of Grandson.
- 1484UK history
The College of Arms is formally incorporated by Royal Charter signed by King Richard III of England.
The College of Arms is formally incorporated by a Royal Charter signed by King Richard III.
- 1657Disaster
The Great Fire of Meireki begins in Edo (now Tokyo), Japan, causing more than 100,000 deaths before it exhausts itself three days later.
A devastating fire breaks out in Edo, leading to over 100,000 fatalities and widespread destruction before subsiding after three days.
- 1776War
American Revolutionary War: Patriot militia units attempt to prevent capture of supply ships in and around the Savannah River by a small fleet of the Royal Navy in the Battle of the Rice Boats.
Patriot militia units try to stop the Royal Navy from capturing supply ships in the Battle of the Rice Boats.
- 1791Technology
Claude Chappe demonstrates the first semaphore line near Paris.
Claude Chappe demonstrates the first optical telegraph system, marking a significant advancement in long-distance communication.
- 1836US history
Texas Revolution: The Declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico is adopted.
The Republic of Texas declares independence from Mexico.
- 1877Politics
Just two days before inauguration, the U.S. Congress declares Rutherford B. Hayes the winner of the 1876 U.S. presidential election even though Samuel J. Tilden had won the popular vote.
The U.S. Congress declares Rutherford B. Hayes the winner of the 1876 presidential election, despite Samuel J. Tilden's lead in the popular vote.
- 1989European history
Twelve European Community nations agree to ban the production of all chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) by the end of the century.
Twelve European Community nations agree to ban all chlorofluorocarbon production by the end of the century, a major step in protecting the ozone layer.
- 2014Pop culture
The Oscar Selfie, regarded as one of the most influential and important images of all time, is taken at the 86th Academy Awards.
Actors Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence take an iconic selfie at the Oscars, capturing a moment that goes viral on social media.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 2
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 88
Ricardo Lagos
Chilean economist, lawyer, and politician, 33rd President of Chile
Ricardo Lagos, Chilean lawyer and economist who served as president from 2000 to 2006 and boldly opposed Augusto Pinochet's military dictatorship during the 1980s, turns 88 today.
Born
1938
Turns 88
today
Kurt Weill
German-American pianist and composer
1900 – 1950
Marc Blitzstein
American composer and songwriter
1905 – 1964
Gene Stallings
American football player and coach
b. 1935 · 91
Mir-Hossein Mousavi
Iranian architect and politician, 79th Prime Minister of Iran
b. 1942 · 84
Peter Straub
American author and poet
1943 – 2022
Marcel Hirscher
Austrian skier
b. 1989 · 37
Music
The number one songs on March 2
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on March 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 March 2, 1962
Wilt Chamberlain sets the single-game scoring record in the National Basketball Association by scoring 100 points.
Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points in a single game, setting an NBA record that endures to this day.
Read the story
🔬 Science March 2, 1995
Researchers at Fermilab announce the discovery of the top quark.
Researchers at Fermilab discover the top quark, the heaviest known elementary particle.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Air Force Day (Sri Lanka)
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
Baloch Culture Day (Balochistan)
International
The Baloch people or the Balochs are an Iranian ethnic group which speaks the Western Iranic Balochi language and are native to the Balochistan region of South and West Asia, occupying parts of Pakist
National Read Across America Day (United States)
International
The National Education Association (NEA) is the largest labor union in the United States
Peasants' Day (Myanmar)
International
Peasants' Day is a public holiday in Myanmar, marking the 1962 Burmese coup d'état
Texas Independence Day
International
Texas Independence Day is the celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836
Adwa Victory Day (Ethiopia)
International
Adwa Victory Day is a national holiday in Ethiopia that commemorates Ethiopia's victory against Italian forces at the Battle of Adwa on 1 March 1896
❝
We fully support the strikes against terrorist targets, not against the country, not against the culture, not against a religion, but against an enemy of them all.
— Ricardo Lagos · born March 2, 1938