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
October 2 Friday, October 2, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 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
1470
UK history 556 years ago
The Earl of Warwick's rebellion forces King Edward IV of England to flee to the Netherlands, restoring Henry VI to the throne.
Edward IV flees to the Netherlands as the Earl of Warwick's rebellion succeeds in restoring Henry VI to the English throne.
History
What happened on October 2
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 829World history
Theophilos succeeds his father Michael II as Byzantine Emperor.
Theophilos ascends to the throne, succeeding his father Michael II as Byzantine Emperor.
- 939European history
Battle of Andernach: Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, crushes a rebellion against his rule, by a coalition of Eberhard of Franconia and other Frankish dukes.
Otto I defeats a rebellion led by Eberhard of Franconia, solidifying his control over the Holy Roman Empire.
- 1187War
Saladin won Jerusalem after the city surrendered to his forces following a prolonged siege.
Saladin captured Jerusalem after the city surrendered following a lengthy siege.
- 1263UK history
The Battle of Largs is fought between Norwegians and Scots.
Norwegians and Scots clash in a naval battle near Largs, Scotland.
- 1470UK history
The Earl of Warwick's rebellion forces King Edward IV of England to flee to the Netherlands, restoring Henry VI to the throne.
Edward IV flees to the Netherlands as the Earl of Warwick's rebellion succeeds in restoring Henry VI to the English throne.
- 1552War
Russo-Kazan Wars: Russian troops enter Kazan.
Russian troops capture Kazan, marking a significant victory in the Russo-Kazan Wars.
- 1780War
American Revolutionary War: John André, a British Army officer, is hanged as a spy by the Continental Army.
John André, a British Army officer, is executed by hanging for spying on behalf of the British during the American Revolution.
- 1789US history
The United States Bill of Rights is sent to the various States for ratification.
The U.S. Congress approves twelve constitutional amendments and sends them to the states for ratification, ten of which become the Bill of Rights.
- 1835US history
Texas Revolution: Mexican troops attempt to disarm the people of Gonzales, but encounter stiff resistance from a hastily assembled militia.
Mexican troops face strong resistance when attempting to disarm residents of Gonzales, leading to the start of the Texas Revolution.
- 1864War
American Civil War: Confederates defeat a Union attack on Saltville, Virginia. A massacre of wounded Union prisoners ensues.
Confederate forces defeat a Union attack in Saltville, Virginia, followed by a massacre of wounded Union prisoners.
- 1944WWII
World War II: German troops end the Warsaw Uprising.
German forces crush the Warsaw Uprising, ending months of resistance by Polish civilians.
- 2016World history
Ethiopian protests break out during a festival in the Oromia region, killing dozens of people.
Protests erupt during a festival in Ethiopia's Oromia region, resulting in dozens of fatalities as security forces clash with demonstrators.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 2
7 this date All birthdays
Rex Reed
American film critic
Rex Reed, the American film critic and media personality known for his sharp reviews and television appearances, turns 88 today.
Born
1938
Died
2026
Cordell Hull
American politician, United States Secretary of State, Nobel Prize laureate
1871 – 1955
Avery Brooks
American actor
b. 1948 · 78
Lorraine Bracco
American actress
b. 1954 · 72
Glenn Anderson
Canadian ice hockey player
b. 1960 · 66
Joe Sacco
Maltese-American journalist and cartoonist
b. 1960 · 66
Tom Moody
Australian cricketer
b. 1965 · 61
Music
The number one songs on October 2
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 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 October 2, 2004
The first parkrun, then known as the Bushy Park Time Trial, takes place in Bushy Park, London, UK.
The first parkrun, originally called the Bushy Park Time Trial, begins in Bushy Park, London.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 2, 1995
Java 1.0 is unveiled
Sun Microsystems releases a programming language that will become the backbone of enterprise computing and Android.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Batik Day (Indonesia)
International
National Batik Day is an Indonesian cultural day for celebrating batik, the traditional cloth of Indonesia
Gandhi's birthday-related observances: Gandhi Jayanti (India)
International
Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India, celebrated annually on 2nd October to honour the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the key leaders of the Indian independence movement and a pioneer of the
Gandhi's birthday-related observances: International Day of Non-Violence
International
International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Guinea from France in 1958
International
Guinea, officially the Republic of Guinea, is a coastal country in West Africa
National Grandparents Day (Italy)
International
Grandparents' Day or National Grandparents' Day is a secular holiday celebrated in various countries; it is celebrated to show the bond between grandparents and grandchildren
International Day of Non-Violence
International
International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi