What happened on June 2nd?

Good morning everyone and I hope you’re enjoying your Sunday. For me, Sunday morning’s are a great time to take it slow and do something fun (such as reading history). But even if you’re heading out and about, you’ve still got a few minutes for the history of the day.

Probably the biggest thing to happen on June 2nd was Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith’s surrender in Galveston, Texas at the end of the Civil War. As this was the last large Confederate Army still fighting, many consider this to be the end of this five year conflict from which the nation is still recovering. 

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

🕊️ 1865: Edmund Kirby Smith Surrenders and the US Civil War Ends

The American Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865, was primarily caused by long standing tensions over issues surrounding slavery. Though economic and cultural differences between the North and South also contributed to the conflict. 

The war ended with the surrender of the Confederate forces to the Union, resulting in the abolition of slavery, the preservation of the Union, and the beginning of a challenging period of Reconstruction aimed at rebuilding the nation and integrating formerly enslaved individuals into society. 

General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865, which effectively ended the war. However, many Confederate generals such as Smith, held on. With his surrender in Texas, the Confederacy had no measurable army remaining, which is why this is often considered the end of the war. 

Slaves in Texas were emancipated less than three weeks after Smith’s surrender. Interestingly, President Abraham Lincoln had already been assassinated (April 15, 1965), meaning he never got to see the official end of the war that consumed his presidency.

Read more about how the American Civil War started and impacted thousands in The American Civil War: Dates, Causes, and People. 

📜 1774: British Parliament Completed the Coercive Acts with the Quartering Act

The British Parliament completed the Coercive Acts, a series of punitive measures intended to assert control over the American colonies following the Boston Tea Party. 

One component of these Acts was the Quartering Act, which required colonial assemblies to provide housing and supplies for British troops stationed in America, further stoking tensions between the colonies and the British government leading up to the American Revolutionary War. This was a particularly egregious act not only for the burden it imposed but for the symbolism of being forced to house British soldiers. It was just one more feather on the camel’s back, which was set to break in April 1776.

Read Quartering Act of 1765: Date and Definition for more details.

🪖 1915: Austro-German Forces Attacked Russians at Przemysl

In World War I, Austro-German troops launched a major offensive against Russian forces at Przemysl.  The siege and subsequent capture of Przemysl marked a significant victory for the Central Powers, weakening Russian defenses and shifting the balance of power on the Eastern Front.

📜 1924: Congress Enacted the Indian Citizenship Act

The Indian Citizenship Act granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States, recognizing their rights as citizens. While this act formally recognized their rights as citizens, Native Americans continued to face discrimination and challenges in fully exercising their newfound status.

🇮🇹 1946: The People of Italy Passed a Referendum

Italians voted in a referendum to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic, leading to significant political changes. This decision marked a turning point in Italian history, as the country transitioned from a centuries-old monarchy to a democratic republic with a new constitution and political system.

🫅 1953: Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey. It marked the beginning of her reign as Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. Millions around the world witnessed the ceremony. Read about all the monarchs of England who came before Elizabeth II in The Kings and Queens of England: English Monarchs Timeline from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II.

🌟Born on This Day in History

1731: Martha Washington, First Lady of the United States

Martha Washington was the First Lady of the United States. As the wife of George Washington, the first President of the United States, Martha played an important role in shaping the early traditions of the presidential household and supporting her husband's leadership during the formative years of the nation.

1907: Dorothy West, Writer

Dorothy West was a prominent African American writer and a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Her works, including "The Living Is Easy" and "The Wedding," explored the complexities of race, class, and family, earning her acclaim for her insightful and richly detailed storytelling.

1930: Pete Conrad, Astronaut

Pete Conrad was a US astronaut and naval officer who played a significant role in space exploration. He commanded the Apollo 12 mission, becoming the third person to walk on the moon, and later contributed to the Skylab program.

💔 Died on This Day in History

193: Marcus Didius Severus Julianus, Roman Emperor

Marcus Didius Severus Julianus became Roman Emperor by purchasing the throne from the Praetorian Guard after the assassination of Emperor Pertinax. His short reign was marked by chaos and opposition, culminating in his execution by order of Septimius Severus, who succeeded him as emperor. Read more about why Julianus was overthrown and what caused him to meet his end in  

1941: Lou Gehrig, Baseball Player

Lou Gehrig, the legendary American baseball player, passed away at the age of 37 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease now commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He’s renowned for his exceptional career with the New York Yankees and his remarkable streak of 2,130 consecutive games played.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and we’ll see each other again tomorrow. 

Thanks for reading, 

Matt