The UN officially recognized May 2 as World Tuna Day to promote sustainable fishing practices and raise awareness about the importance of tuna to global food security and marine biodiversity.
📍 Global
World Asthma Day was observed for the first time to raise awareness and improve care for people with asthma. Coordinated by the Global Initiative for Asthma, it has grown into an international health movement.
📍 Global
Princess Diana delivered a powerful speech calling for a global ban on landmines during her visit to the Landmine Survivors Network. Her advocacy brought global attention to the issue and influenced the Ottawa Treaty.
📍 Washington, D.C., United States
The UK launched a counter-offensive in the Falklands War, resulting in the sinking of the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano. The event escalated the conflict and remains controversial in military ethics.
📍 South Atlantic Ocean
Dr. Benjamin Spock, the famed pediatrician and anti-war activist, was acquitted on appeal after being convicted for encouraging draft resistance during the Vietnam War. His trial became a landmark case for free speech and protest.
📍 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
The M-497 ‘Black Beetle’, an experimental train powered by jet engines, reached speeds of over 180 mph during a test in Ohio. Though never commercialized, it demonstrated the potential for high-speed rail innovation.
📍 Ohio, United States
Princess Margaret of the United Kingdom announced she would not marry divorced war hero Peter Townsend due to royal pressure and church expectations, sparking a media frenzy and symbolizing the tension between tradition and modern love.
📍 London, United Kingdom
The European Broadcasting Union announced plans for the first Eurovision Song Contest, aiming to unite Europe through culture and music in the post-WWII era. The first contest would be held the following year.
📍 Monaco
A de Havilland Comet jetliner crashed en route to India, killing all passengers. It was the first fatal accident involving a commercial jet airliner and led to major investigations into aircraft safety and design flaws.
📍 Calcutta (Kolkata), India
British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) launched the world’s first commercial jet airliner service using the de Havilland Comet. The flight marked a new era of fast, high-altitude travel.
📍 London, United Kingdom
The Soviet Red Army captured Berlin and raised their flag over the Reichstag, symbolizing the fall of Nazi Germany. It remains one of the most iconic images of World War II.
📍 Berlin, Germany
After the fall of Berlin, Allied authorities formally dissolved the Hitler Youth, a Nazi organization that indoctrinated millions of German children. Its dissolution marked a symbolic end to Nazi ideological control.
📍 Berlin, Germany
As part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, the TVA was created to provide economic development, electricity, and flood control in the Tennessee Valley region. It remains one of the most ambitious public works programs in U.S. history.
📍 Tennessee Valley, United States
J. Edgar Hoover was appointed director of the Bureau of Investigation, later the FBI. He would go on to lead the agency for 48 years, shaping American law enforcement and its controversies.
📍 Washington, D.C., United States
New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig played his first of 2,130 consecutive games, setting a Major League Baseball record that stood for over 50 years and earning him the nickname 'The Iron Horse'.
📍 New York City, United States
Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee launched a surprise attack against Union troops at Chancellorsville. Despite being outnumbered, Lee achieved one of his greatest victories in the American Civil War.
📍 Spotsylvania County, Virginia, United States
The first commercial telegraph line in the world began operations between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. It revolutionized long-distance communication and laid the foundation for the information age.
📍 Washington, D.C., United States
The Metropolitan Police Force, headquartered at Scotland Yard, was formally established in London by then-Home Secretary Robert Peel. It became a model for modern policing across the world.
📍 London, United Kingdom
Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 premiered in Vienna. Known for the 'Ode to Joy' finale, it was groundbreaking for its inclusion of vocal soloists and chorus, and is one of the most celebrated works in classical music history.
📍 Vienna, Austria
Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest minds of the Renaissance, died in Amboise, France. Known for masterpieces like the *Mona Lisa* and *The Last Supper*, he left a legacy spanning art, science, and engineering.
📍 Amboise, Kingdom of France