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:
- National I Love My Dentist Day: Having a good dentist is essential to keeping a healthy smile. National I Love My Dentist Day, celebrated annually, is a fun way to show appreciation for these dedicated professionals. It highlights their hard work, commitment, and essential role in maintaining our dental health. Behind every calm cleaning and carefully placed...
- Republic Day Italy: Republic Day, or "Festa della Repubblica," is a national holiday in Italy. Every year on this day, Italians remember a special vote that changed their country. Long ago, after an exhausting war, people in Italy decided they didn't want a king anymore. So they voted to start a new chapter as...
- National Rotisserie Chicken Day: The rotisserie chicken is an inexpensive, hassle-free way to make a delicious lunch or dinner. Go out and buy one, and forget about cooking for one night.
- 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 Rocky Road Day: Use this excuse (as if you need one) to indulge in the divine combination of marshmallows, nuts, chocolate, and ice cream. That’s right: Rocky Road ice cream.
- 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...
- National Leave The Office Earlier Day: Get permission to leave work when your tasks are done for the day, and see how productive that shorter day can be. Or, let your employees out early. Please.
- International Volkswagen Bus Day: International Volkswagen Bus Day is a celebration of freedom, adventure, and the stories created on the road. On this day, people gather to share memories, admire these iconic vans, and connect over their love for the open road. Some have carried surfboards to secret beaches; others have been filled with...
- National Bubba Day: Some names carry a special kind of warmth, and Bubba is one of them. National Bubba Day is all about celebrating the people who go by this friendly, familiar name. Maybe it’s a little brother, a best friend, a cousin who became a built-in buddy, or the neighbor who treats everyone...
- 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...
- American Indian Citizenship Day: American Indian Citizenship Day marks a moment that changed lives. For too long, Native people lived on their own land but weren’t seen as full citizens. This day recognizes the moment they were finally given that right. It’s not just about legal papers, it’s about being seen, heard, and respected. It’s about...
- 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...
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