What happened on August 2nd?

Good morning?

History is never black and white. Today, people in the US celebrate the 4th of July as Independence Day because the date coincides with the decision to declare independence from England.

But maybe that day should be the 2nd of August? After all, today was the day this all-important document was officially ratified and sent off to the King. It sent the same message, but just made things more official.

Here’s everything else that happened on August 2nd:

🖋️1776: Delegates Signed the Declaration of Independence

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, marking a historic step in the American Revolutionary War. Adopting it made it real, but from a legal standpoint, it was not official until a majority of delegates signed it.

This finally happened on August 2, 1776. On this day, key figures such as John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams affixed their signatures to this now-historic document.

The signing took place in the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. This act was both a symbol of unity among the colonies and a bold declaration of their intent to form a new, independent nation.

By this time, however, the signing of the document was more of a formality. Fighting had already begun and Congress was hard at working figuring out how to defend its recently declared indpendence and make permanent its break from England.

However, even as a formality, the official adoption of the Declaration of Indpendence reinforced the Second Continental Congress as a capable body that could handle the BIG moments and could successfully navigate the complexities that go alone with a revoultion and war of independence.

👑1830: Charles X of France Abdicated the Throne

Facing intense political unrest and public protests, Charles X, the last Bourbon monarch of France, abdicated. His conservative rule and attempts to enhance royal power had fueled widespread opposition, sparking the July Revolution. This event ousted him and ushered in Louis-Philippe I, who founded the more liberal July Monarchy, transforming France into a constitutional monarchy.

🤠1876: The Murder of Wild Bill Hickok

In the lawless gold rush town of Deadwood, Dakota Territory, Wild Bill Hickok, a legendary figure of the American West known for his sharpshooting and law enforcement exploits, was playing poker. During the game, an assailant shot him in the back of the head, ending his life instantly. Hickok was holding a hand of aces and eights, famously known thereafter as the "dead man's hand."

🚢1917: Marcus Garvey Reached the Height of His Power

During the peak of World War I, sailors aboard the SMS Prinzregent Luitpold initiated a mutiny. This act of rebellion occurred while docked at Wilhelmshaven, a major naval base, illustrating the severe morale issues plaguing German forces due to harsh conditions, war fatigue, and general disillusionment with the war effort. The mutiny on this battleship, one of the Imperial German Navy's formidable vessels, highlighted the broader unrest within the military, foreshadowing more extensive revolts like the Kiel mutiny of 1918 that would significantly impact the war's outcome. Read about WWI in What Caused World War 1? Political, Imperialistic, and Nationalistic Factors.

🚨1934: Hitler Became Dictator of Germany

Adolf Hitler seized complete control in Germany by declaring himself Führer, merging the roles of chancellor and president after President Paul von Hindenburg's death. He enacted the "Law Concerning the Highest State Office of the Reich," passed by his cabinet, which canceled the presidential election and cemented his dictatorship. Read more about Hitler and his rise to power in Beer Hall Putsch: Causes, Outcomes, and Hitler’s Rise to Power.

🎖️1943: Japanese Forces Sank the PT-109

On August 2, 1943, during World War II, Japanese forces sank the U.S. Navy's PT-109, a patrol torpedo boat commanded by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, near the Solomon Islands. The vessel was struck by a Japanese destroyer, leading to its sinking and the deaths of two crew members. Kennedy and the remaining survivors managed to escape to a nearby island, where they were eventually rescued. The incident became a notable event in Kennedy's early life, contributing to his later public image and political career.

💣1990: Iraq Invaded Kuwait

Iraq's economic pressures and disputes over oil production and debt led to its decision to invade Kuwait. This aggressive act prompted a global response, leading to the formation of a massive multinational coalition led by the United States. The conflict, known as the Gulf War, not only reshaped international relations but also altered the strategic landscape of the Middle East, intensifying regional tensions and paving the way for prolonged military engagements, including the Iraq War in 2003.

🌟Born on This Day in History

1835: Elisha Gray, Inventor

Elisha Gray was an American inventor, known primarily for his work on early telegraphy and telecommunications. He is often remembered for his simultaneous invention of the telephone with Alexander Graham Bell, though his telephone patent application was filed on the same day as Bell's, leading to a highly publicized legal battle. Read about the history and evolution of telephones in The Complete History of Phones from the Last 500 Years.

1868: Constantine I, King of Greece

Constantine I was King of Greece who ruled from 1913 to 1917 and then from 1920 to 1922. His reign was marked by political turmoil and military defeats, leading to his abdication twice, first in 1917 and again in 1922.

1897: Karl Otto Koch, German Nazi Commandant

Karl Otto Koch was a German Nazi commandant known for his role as the head of several concentration camps during World War II. His brutal administration and involvement in the camp system led to numerous atrocities and his eventual arrest and execution for corruption and embezzlement.

1924: James Baldwin, Author

James Baldwin was an influential American author and social critic known for his powerful essays, novels, and plays addressing racial and social issues. His works, including Go Tell It on the Mountain and The Fire Next Time, continue to be celebrated for their exploration of race, sexuality, and identity in America.

💔Died on This Day in History

1876: Wild Bill Hickok, US Frontiersman

Wild Bill Hickok was a famed American frontiersman, lawman, and gunfighter of the Old West. Known for his exploits as a sheriff and his involvement in several legendary gunfights, Hickok became a larger-than-life figure in American folklore.

1922: Alexander Graham Bell, Inventor

Alexander Graham Bell was a renowned inventor and scientist best known for inventing the telephone. His contributions to communication technology transformed the way people connect and communicate globally.

1923: Warren G. Harding, President of the United States

Warren G. Harding, who served as the 29th President of the United States from March 4, 1921, until his death on August 2, 1923. His presidency was marred by scandals, including the infamous Teapot Dome scandal, which tainted his legacy despite his initial popularity.

2016: Ahmed H. Zewail, American-Egyptian Chemist

His groundbreaking research in femtochemistry opened new pathways in the study of molecular dynamics by observing atomic motions in real time, significantly advancing chemical and biological sciences.

Thanks again for reading. I’ll be back tomorrow :)

Matt