Today in History graphic for June 2 featuring Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan's Great Seal, Guglielmo Marconi, Babe Ruth, and Ken Jennings.

June 2 in History: The Mackinac Massacre, Radio Patent, and Babe Ruth Retires

Scott Winters June 2, 2026 1 Comment

Discover what happened on June 2 in history, along with notable events that shaped Michigan, communications, sports, and American culture.

What Happened on June 2 in History?

Important events on this day include the capture of Fort Michilimackinac during Pontiac’s Rebellion, the adoption of Michigan’s Great Seal, Guglielmo Marconi’s radio patent, Babe Ruth’s retirement from baseball, and Ken Jennings beginning his legendary “Jeopardy!” winning streak.

JUNE 2 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1763 – In what is now Mackinaw City, MI, Chippewa Indians arranged to celebrate the birthday of King George III with an exhibition game of Lacrosse in front of the gates of Ft. Michilimackinac. When the Brits opened the gates to watch, the Indians rushed the fort and massacred all but 4 Englishmen.

1774 – The Quartering Act, which required American colonists to allow British soldiers into their houses, was reenacted.

1835 – The Great Seal of Michigan was adopted. It was designed by Lewis Cass, Michigan’s second (non-acting) Territorial governor. The seal was patterned after the seal of the Hudson Bay Fur Company.

1835 – P.T. Barnum launched his first traveling show. The main attraction was Joice Heth. Heth was reputed to be the 161-year-old nurse of George Washington.

1851 – Maine became the first U.S. state to enact a law prohibiting alcohol.

1883 – The first baseball game under electric lights was played in Fort Wayne, IN.

1886 – Grover Cleveland became the second U.S. President to get married while in office. He was the first to have a wedding in the White House.

1896 – Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi patented the radio.

1924 – All Indigenous peoples of America were granted U.S. citizenship by Congress.

1928 – Velveeta Cheese was introduced. The product was advertised as a nutritious health food.

1933 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt accepted the first swimming pool to be built inside the White House.

1935 – George Herman “Babe” Ruth announced that he was retiring from baseball.

1964 – The Rolling Stones kicked off their first American tour at a high school football stadium in Lynn, Massachusetts.

1966 – Surveyor 1, the U.S. space probe, landed in Oceanus Procellarum on the moon and started sending photographs back to Earth of the Moon’s surface. It was the first soft landing on another planet.

1985 – Kareem Abdul Jabbar topped Jerry West to become the NBA’s all-time playoff scorer with 4,458 points.

1985 – The R.J. Reynolds Company proposed a major merger with Nabisco that would create a $4.9 billion conglomerate.

1995 – The movie “Bridges of Madison County”, starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, premiered in theaters.

1995 – Captain Scott F. O’Grady’s U.S. Air Force F-16C was shot down over Bosnia while patrolling the NATA no-fly zone. He was rescued six days later.

1997 – In Denver, CO, Timothy McVeigh was convicted on 15 counts of murder and conspiracy for his role in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK, where 168 people died. He was executed four years later.

1998 – Royal Caribbean Cruises agreed to pay $9 million to settle charges of dumping waste at sea.

2003 – In the U.S., federal regulators voted to allow companies to buy more television stations and newspaper-broadcasting combinations in the same city. The previous ownership restrictions had not been altered since 1975.

2003 – The Supreme Court ruled that companies could not be sued under a trademark law for using information in the public domain without giving credit to the originator. The case had originated with 20th Century Fox against suing Dastar Corp. over their use of World War II footage.

2004 – Ken Jennings began his winning streak on the TV game show “Jeopardy!”. He answered 2,693 questions correctly and won 74 games.

2022 – Following a request from Ankara , the United Nations officially changed the name of the Republic of Turkey in the organization from what was previously known as “Turkey” to ” Türkiye”.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JUNE 2:

Deric Washburn – 89 years old (1937) – Screenwriter and playwright

Stacy Keach – 85 years old (1941) – Actor

Lou Nanne – 85 years old (1941) – Canadian-American ice hockey player and manager

Charles Haid – 83 years old (1943) – Actor and director

Bonnie Newman – 81 years old (1945) – Businesswoman and politician

Jerry Mathers – 78 years old (1948) – Actor

Frank Rich – 77 years old (1949) – Journalist and critic

Gary Bettman – 74 years old (1952) – Sports executive, 14th Commissioner of the National Hockey League

Craig Stadler – 73 years old (1953) – Golfer

Cornel West – 73 years old (1953) – Philosopher, author, and academic

Dennis Haysbert – 72 years old (1954) – Actor and producer

Dana Carvey – 71 years old (1955) – Comedian and actor

Michael Steele – 71 years old (1955) – Singer-songwriter and bass player

Lex Luger – 68 years old (1958) – Wrestler and football player

Lydia Lunch – 67 years old (1959) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actress

Kyle Petty – 66 years old (1960) – Race car driver and sportscaster

Mark Plaatjes – 64 years old (1962) – South African-American runner and coach

Dayana Cadeau – 60 years old (1966) – Haitian born Canadian-American professional bodybuilder

Candace Gingrich – 60 years old (1966) – Activist

Mike Stanton – 59 years old (1967) – Baseball player

Andy Cohen – 58 years old (1968) – Television host

Lester Green – 58 years old (1968) – Comedian and actor

Kurt Abbott – 57 years old (1969) – Baseball player

David Wheaton – 57 years old (1969) – Tennis player, radio host, and author

B Real – 56 years old (1970) – Rapper and actor

Wayne Brady – 54 years old (1972) – Actor, comedian, game show host, and singer

Raúl Ibañez – 54 years old (1972) – Baseball player

Wentworth Miller – 54 years old (1972) – Actor and screenwriter

Neifi Pérez – 53 years old (1973) – Dominican-American baseball player

Gata Kamsky – 52 years old (1974) – Russian-American chess player

Matt Serra – 52 years old (1974) – Mixed martial artist

Salvatore Scibona – 51 years old (1975) – Author

Earl Boykins – 50 years old (1976) – Basketball player

A.J. Styles – 49 years old (1977) – Wrestler

Zachary Quinto – 49 years old (1977) – Actor and producer

Nikki Cox – 48 years old (1978) – Actress

Justin Long – 48 years old (1978) – Actor

Morena Baccarin – 47 years old (1979) – Brazilian-American actress

Fabrizio Moretti – 46 years old (1980) – Brazilian-American drummer

Bobby Simmons – 46 years old (1980) – Basketball player

Abby Wambach – 46 years old (1980) – Soccer player and coach

Chris Higgins – 43 years old (1983) – Ice hockey player

Rhett Bomar – 41 years old (1985) – Football player

Matthew Koma – 39 years old (1987) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Awkwafina – 38 years old (1988) – Actress, rapper, and comedian

Scott Wozniak – 29 years old (1997) – YouTuber

Madison Hu – 24 years old (2002) – Actress

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JUNE 2:

American Indian Citizenship Day: Explore the history and impact of American Indian Citizenship Day, honoring Native rights, identity, and ongoing struggles for equality, respect, and recognition.
National I Love My Dentist Day: Discover National I Love My Dentist Day, celebrating dentists’ dedication, promoting oral health, and inspiring simple ways to say thank you for healthy smiles.
International Volkswagen Bus Day: Celebrate International Volkswagen Bus Day by honoring the iconic VW Bus, sharing road-trip memories, meeting fellow fans, and exploring its legacy and future.
National Leave The Office Earlier Day: Celebrate National Leave The Office Earlier Day by boosting productivity, improving work-life balance, and rewarding efficient teams with more free time.
National Rotisserie Chicken Day: Celebrate National Rotisserie Chicken Day with juicy, slow-roasted flavor, fun traditions, and global recipes that honor this timeless comfort food favorite.
Republic Day Italy: Discover the meaning of Italy’s Republic Day, honoring the historic vote that ended the monarchy with parades, flag displays, music, food, and remembrance.
National Bubba Day: Celebrate the warm, loyal “Bubbas” in your life with gatherings, heartfelt messages, keepsakes, and fun traditions that honor this beloved nickname.
National Rocky Road Day: Celebrate National Rocky Road Day by savoring chocolate, marshmallow, and nut-filled treats, from classic ice cream to homemade desserts and smoothies.
Gawai Dayak: Gawai Dayak is a lively celebration that brings together the Dayak communities of Malaysia and Indonesia. It marks the end of the rice harvest season, which is a vital part of their agricultural life. This festival is not just about celebrating a good harvest, but also about strengthening bonds and...
Medicare Fraud Prevention Week: Securing healthcare integrity, ensuring resources reach those in need, and safeguarding against deceptive practices for a healthier community.
America The Beautiful Week: America The Beautiful Week lights up the first week of June. It's a special time to appreciate the song "America the Beautiful" and to honor the love for the country. This week encourages us to reflect on the natural beauty and patriotic spirit that defines America! How to Celebrate America...
National CPR and AED Awareness Week: Have you ever needed to use CPR or an AED in an emergency? National CPR and AED Awareness Week, celebrated during this time in early June, shines a spotlight on the importance of these life-saving skills. This special week is all about educating people on how to respond to a cardiac...
National Greyhound Day: National Greyhound Day honors one of the world’s fastest and most graceful dog breeds—the Greyhound. Known for their long legs and gentle hearts, these dogs often surprise people with their calm, affectionate nature. While many think of them only as race dogs, they’re loving pets who enjoy soft couches and slow...
Canadian Environment Week: Canadian Environment Week is a lively celebration highlighting Canada's commitment to the environment. This special event invites everyone to appreciate nature, raise awareness, and take action to protect the planet. This week coincides with global events like World Environment Day and Clean Air Day, making it a perfect time for...
British Tomato Fortnight: British Tomato Fortnight is an exciting time that celebrates the peak season for homegrown tomatoes in the UK. This event highlights the wonderful flavors and health benefits of British tomatoes, encouraging everyone to enjoy this versatile fruit in various dishes! How to Celebrate British Tomato Fortnight Host a Tomato Tasting...
Stepparents Week: Stepparents Week is a special time to honor those who step into the role of parenthood with open hearts. Celebrated anually, this event recognizes the vital contributions of stepmoms and stepdads. It's all about the love, guidance, and care they provide to children, who are not their own by birth...