Name: The Great Fire of London devastates the city
Start: 1666-09-02
Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Holidays on September 2, 2026:

Victory over Japan Day

Victory over Japan Day, September 2, 2026: Commemorating the Allied victory over Japan, marking the end of World War II, with parades, memorial services, and nostalgic tributes. more >>

National Grits for Breakfast Day

National Grits for Breakfast Day, September 2, 2026: Savor the warm, comforting goodness of grits with friends and family. more >>

Gear up for a home run of a day as fans and players alike come together to celebrate the love of baseball, honoring the legacy of Albert Spalding, a pioneering figure in the sport's history, who helped shape the game into what it is today. more >>

National Blueberry Popsicle Day

National Blueberry Popsicle Day: Beat the heat with refreshing blueberry popsicles and fun party ideas on September 2, 2026. more >>

World Coconut Day

World Coconut Day, September 2, 2026: Discover the versatility and cultural significance of coconuts in traditional cuisine, crafts, and sustainable practices. more >>

Bison-ten Yell Day

Get ready to unleash your wild side on this unforgettable day, dedicated to the mighty American bison! It's a celebration of conservation efforts, wildlife preservation, and the importance of protecting our national heritage. Expect a roaring good ti... more >>

Calendar Adjustment Day

Calendar Adjustment Day on 9/2/2026: Learn about the significance and history behind this unique holiday. more >>

Global Talent Acquisition Day

Global Talent Acquisition Day, 9/2/2026, honors talent acquisition teams driving business success with innovative strategies and skills. more >>

Pierce Your Ears Day

Pierce Your Ears Day, 9/2/2026: Learn about this unusual holiday and discover the truth behind ear piercing and body modification. more >>

Birthdays on September 2:

Keanu Reeves

61 Years Old

A talented artist who has starred in iconic films like The Matrix and John Wick, and is also a musician and producer, known for his versatility and unique on-screen presence.

Salma Hayek

59 Years Old

A talented actress, director, and producer who has captivated audiences with her stunning performances in films like Frida and 30 Rock, earning her an Academy Award nomination. She...

Mark Harmon

74 Years Old

Star of the long-running TV series NCIS, playing the lead role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and known for his rugged, charming on-screen presence.

Terry Bradshaw

77 Years Old

A legendary quarterback turned charismatic TV personality, known for his four Super Bowl wins and entertaining sports commentary. He's also appeared in various films and TV shows, ...

Jimmy Connors

73 Years Old

A tennis legend who won eight Grand Slam singles titles and was known for his fiery competitiveness and dominant playing style. He later became a successful coach and sportscaster.

Eric Dickerson

65 Years Old

A Hall of Fame running back who set numerous NFL records and later became a popular sportscaster, known for his charismatic personality and insightful commentary.

Bill Shankly

Died in 1981, aged 68

A legendary Scottish footballer and manager who transformed Liverpool FC into a dominant force, winning numerous titles and cultivating a passionate fan culture.

Andrew Grove

89 Years Old

A pioneer in the tech industry, he co-founded Intel Corporation and played a crucial role in developing the microprocessor, revolutionizing modern computing. His leadership and vis...

Lennox Lewis

60 Years Old

A dominant heavyweight champion of the world, known for his formidable punching power and impressive boxing skills, holding multiple titles and defeating notable opponents.

Walt Simonson

79 Years Old

Creator of iconic comic book series and characters, including Thor and Fantastic Four, known for dynamic artwork and epic storytelling.

Adolph Rupp

Died in 1977, aged 76

Legendary college basketball coach who led the University of Kentucky to four NCAA championships and is one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history. He is also known for his...

Hal Ashby

Died in 1988, aged 59

A talented filmmaker behind several iconic movies, known for his unique directing style and memorable characters, leaving a lasting impact on the film industry.

Events from History on September 2:

81 years ago

Japan formally surrenders to Allied Powers on USS Missouri (Tokyo Bay, Japan) 1945

In the shadow of Tokyo Bay, a monumental ceremony unfolded on the decks of the USS Missouri, as Japanese officials, led by Foreign Minister Shigemitsu, and Allied leaders, including General Douglas MacArthur, converged to script a new chapter in history. With the stroke of a pen, Japan's Instrument of Surrender was signed, effectively ending World War II. The echoes of war gave way to an uneasy silence, as the world watched, holding its collective breath, as the once-mighty empire surrendered to the Allied Powers.

234 years ago

Radical mobs slaughter priests and prisoners in Paris (Paris, France) 1792

Frenzied mobs, fueled by revolutionary fervor, stormed the prisons of Paris, seeking to exterminate those deemed enemies of the state. Three Roman Catholic bishops, over two hundred priests, and scores of prisoners suspected of harboring royalist sympathies fell victim to the relentless brutality. The September Massacres, as they came to be known, marked a dark chapter in the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, when the very fabric of society seemed to unravel.

156 years ago

Napoleon III Captured by Prussian Forces at Sedan (Sedan, France) 1870

In a stunning debacle, France's mighty army, led by the once-formidable Napoleon III, stumbled into a catastrophic trap at Sedan, where a massive force of 100,000 soldiers found themselves surrounded and outmaneuvered by the relentless Prussian forces. As the noose tightened, Napoleon III was forced to surrender, marking a humiliating end to the Second Empire and France's brief reign as Europe's dominant power.

87 years ago

Nazi Germany annexes Free City of Danzig (Gdansk, Poland) 1939

In a brazen display of aggression, Nazi Germany seized control of the strategic Free City of Danzig, a crucial port city on the Baltic coast, just a day after invading Poland. The Danzig annexation marked a significant escalation of World War II, as Germany tightened its grip on Eastern Europe. This bold move sent shockwaves across the continent, prompting the United Kingdom and France to declare war on Germany, marking the beginning of a global conflict that would last six years.

81 years ago

Ho Chi Minh proclaims Democratic Republic of Vietnam (Hanoi, Vietnam) 1945

In the aftermath of Japan's defeat, a power vacuum had emerged in Vietnam, and a clever and charismatic leader saw an opportunity to make his mark on history. Ho Chi Minh, the founder of the Viet Minh, a communist-led coalition of nationalist groups, seized the moment to proclaim the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. As a seasoned revolutionary who had traveled the world, Ho Chi Minh's declaration was met with widespread support from the Vietnamese people, who were desperate for independence after centuries of foreign rule. In a dramatic ceremony in Hanoi's Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, echoing the spirit of the American and French revolutions. This bold move would set in motion a chain of events that would shape the course of Vietnamese history for decades to come.

360 years ago

The Great Fire of London devastates the city (London, England, United Kingdom) 1666

In the heart of London, a small bakery on Pudding Lane was the unsuspecting catalyst for a catastrophe that would leave 70,000 people homeless and redefine the city's architecture. In just four days, a small spark ignited a blaze that swept through the city, destroying 10,000 buildings, including the iconic Old St Paul's Cathedral. Strong easterly winds fanned the flames, which raged unchecked, consuming everything in its path. Panicked citizens fled to the outskirts, watching in horror as their homes and livelihoods went up in smoke. The fire finally subsided on September 5, leaving behind a smoldering landscape of rubble and ash. From the ashes, Sir Christopher Wren's majestic St Paul's Cathedral would rise, a testament to the city's resilience and determination.

Notable Deaths on September 2:

1973J. R. R. Tolkien Acclaimed English author and philologist

2005Bob Denver Beloved comedian who brought joy through television

1997Viktor Frankl Visionary Austrian psychiatrist

2021Siddharth Shukla Indian TV and film actor Siddharth Shukla was a notable performer in the Indian entertainment industry, captivating audiences with his talent and charisma.

2013Ronald Coase Economist who Nobel Prize laureate

1998Allen Drury Pioneering American journalist and author

2022Frank Drake American radio astronomer and astrophysicist Frank Drake made groundbreaking contributions to the field of science, exploring the mysteries of the universe and pushing the boundari...

2018Claire Wineland American activist who inspired with courage

2013Frederik Pohl American author who explored the cosmos

2001Christiaan Barnard South African medical pioneer

1969Ho Chi Minh First leader of Vietnam's communist government

2016Jerry Heller American music manager who rocked the stage

2006Dewey Redman Soulful saxophonist who filled the air with sweet melodies

2008Bill Melendez Award-winning animator who brought beloved characters to life

2013David Jacobs English radio host who brought entertainment

1978Fred G. Meyer Businessman who founded the retail chain Fred Meyer

2000Curt Siodmak German-American filmmaker and scribe

1997Rudolf Bing Visionary opera manager

1985Jay Youngblood American wrestling pioneer

2006Willi Ninja Visionary choreographer who revolutionized dance

VJ Day