History – 2nd January

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Significant Historical Events on 2nd January

Here are notable events, births, and deaths that occurred on 2nd January throughout history:

Historical Events

1. 1492 – The Fall of Granada:
   • The Emirate of Granada, the last Muslim stronghold in Spain, surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II and Isabella I, completing the Spanish Reconquista.
2. 1757 – British Capture Calcutta:
   • The British East India Company retakes Calcutta (now Kolkata) from Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah during the Anglo-Indian conflicts.
3. 1839 – Photography Milestone:
   • French photographer Louis Daguerre takes the first photograph of the Moon using his daguerreotype process.
4. 1905 – Russo-Japanese War:
   • The Russian garrison surrenders to the Japanese in Port Arthur, marking a significant victory for Japan.
5. 1929 – Canada and US Agreement:
   • The United States and Canada agree to preserve Niagara Falls by controlling water diversion for hydroelectric purposes.
6. 1959 – Soviet Union’s Space Achievement:
   • The Soviet spacecraft Luna 1 becomes the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon and orbit the Sun.
7. 1974 – US Speed Limit Law:
   • President Richard Nixon signs a law setting a national speed limit of 55 mph to conserve fuel during the energy crisis.
8. 1981 – Military Coup in Ghana:
   • Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings stages a military coup in Ghana, marking a turning point in the country’s political landscape.
9. 2004 – NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Lands:
   • The Spirit rover successfully lands on Mars, beginning its mission to explore the Martian surface.
10. 2017 – Istanbul Nightclub Attack:
    • A gunman opens fire at a nightclub during New Year celebrations, killing 39 people and injuring many more.

Famous Birthdays

1. 1642 – Mehmed IV:
   • Ottoman Sultan known for his extensive military campaigns.
2. 1727 – James Wolfe:
   • British Army officer famous for his victory in the Battle of Quebec.
3. 1920 – Isaac Asimov:
   • Renowned American science fiction writer and biochemist, author of the “Foundation” series.
4. 1936 – Roger Miller:
   • American country music singer-songwriter known for hits like “King of the Road.”
5. 1953 – Jim Bakker:
   • American televangelist and former host of The PTL Club.

Notable Deaths

1. 1927 – Carl Runge:
   • German physicist and mathematician, co-developer of the Runge-Kutta method in numerical analysis.
2. 1974 – Tex Ritter:
   • American country music singer and actor.
3. 1999 – Sebastian Haffner:
   • German journalist and historian known for his critical analyses of Nazi Germany.
4. 2016 – Nimr al-Nimr:
   • Prominent Saudi Arabian Shia cleric executed by the Saudi government, sparking international protests.