On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
December 2
Events on This Day
-
1942
71 years agoThe Atomic Age begins when physicist Enrico Fermi and colleagues successfully execute a nuclear chain reaction at the University of Chicago.
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1961
52 years agoCuban leader Fidel Castro officially announces he is a Marxist-Leninist.
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1978
35 years agoBarbra Streisand's and Neil Diamond's ballad "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" hits number one on the pop charts, taking the spot from Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park."
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1988
25 years agoBenazir Bhutto becomes the first female prime minister elected to lead a Muslim nation.
December 2
Born on This Day
-
Britney SpearsBritney Spears
Singer, Television Personality / 1981 -
Britney Spears has been one of the most successful—and sometimes controversial—solo acts in popular music. More recently, she began hosting The X Factor.
Born: December 2, 1981
Age: 31 years old
Birthplace: Kentwood, Louisiana, United States
Occupation: Singer, Television Personality -
Monica Seles
- In these groups:
- Cast of Dancing with the Stars
- Famous Sagittarians
- Famous Tennis Players
Monica Seles
Tennis Player / 1973 -
Monica Seles is a former No. 1-ranked women's tennis player with nine Grand Slam titles. She is also an author and speaker, and competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2008.
1973 | 39 years old
Tennis Player -
Nelly Furtado
- In these groups:
- Olympic Opening Ceremony Performers
- Famous Sagittarians
- Famous Singers
Nelly Furtado
Songwriter, Singer / 1978 -
Canadian singer Nelly Furtado topped the charts with songs like "I'm Like a Bird" (2000), "Promiscuous" (2006) and "Say it Right" (2007).
1978 | 34 years old
Songwriter, Singer -
Gianni Versace
- In these groups:
- Famous Sagittarians
- Famous Fashion Designers
- Famous Self-Made Millionaires
Gianni Versace
Entrepreneur, Fashion Designer / 1946 - 1997
A designer to celebrities and royalty such as Princess Diana, Gianni Versace brought vitality and art to an industry considered out of touch with the street.
Born: December 2, 1946
Birthplace: Reggio di Calabria, Italy
Occupation: Entrepreneur, Fashion Designer -
Lucy Liu
- In these groups:
- Famous Action Movie Stars
- Famous Sagittarians
- Famous Actresses
Lucy Liu
Actress / 1968 -
Lucy Liu is a TV and film actress known for her work on Ally McBeal and in the Charlie's Angels films.
1968 | 44 years old
Actress -
Stone Phillips
- In these groups:
- Elementals
- Famous Sagittarians
- Famous News Anchors
Stone Phillips
News Anchor / 1954 -
Stone Phillips is a television personality and reporter, best known as the host of Dateline NBC and guest host for other NBC shows.
1954 | 58 years old
News Anchor
December 2
Died on This Day
-
Desi Arnaz
- In these groups:
- Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
- Hispanic Actors
- Hispanic Musicians and Singers
Desi Arnaz
Film Actor, Television Actor, Musician / 1917 - 1986
Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-born actor and musician who is remembered for his marriage to Lucille Ball and their TV show, I Love Lucy.
Died: December 2, 1986
Age: 69 years old
Place: Del Mar, California , United States
Occupation: Film Actor, Television Actor, Musician -
Pablo Escobar
- In these groups:
- International Criminals
- Mysterious Deaths
- Famous Sagittarians
Pablo Escobar
Drug Dealer / 1949 - 1993
Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar's ambition and ruthlessness made him one of the wealthiest, most powerful, and most violent criminals of all-time.
1993 | 44 years old
Drug Dealer -
Marquis de Sade
- In these groups:
- Famous People Involved in Sex Scandals
- Famous Academics
- Famous Geminis
Marquis de Sade
Philosopher, Criminal, Author / 1740 - 1814
Marquis de Sade was a French aristocrat and philosopher who became notorious for acts of sexual cruelty in his writings as well as in his own life.
1814 | 74 years old
Philosopher, Criminal, Author
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Play Nowprofile name: Britney Spears profile occupation: Singer, Television Personality
profile id: 9478472
profile name: Monica Seles profile occupation: Tennis Player
profile id: 241194
profile name: Nelly Furtado profile occupation: Songwriter, Singer
profile id: 9517836
profile name: Gianni Versace profile occupation: Entrepreneur, Fashion Designer
profile id: 9542370
profile name: Lucy Liu profile occupation: Actress
profile id: 224925
profile name: Stone Phillips profile occupation: News Anchor
profile id: 9542545
profile name: Desi Arnaz profile occupation: Film Actor, Television Actor, Musician
profile id: 9542497
profile name: Pablo Escobar profile occupation: Drug Dealer
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profile name: Marquis de Sade profile occupation: Philosopher, Criminal, Author
profile id: 9293405
profile name: Enrico Fermi profile occupation: Physicist
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profile name: Fidel Castro profile occupation: World Leader
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profile name: Barbra Streisand profile occupation: Singer
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profile name: Neil Diamond profile occupation: Songwriter
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profile name: Benazir Bhutto profile occupation: Prime Minister
profile id: 9274087
profile name: Charles Dickens profile occupation: Author
profile id: 37003
profile name: Fernando Valenzuela profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 9542322
profile name: Leslie Nielsen profile occupation: Actor
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profile name: Heidi Fleiss profile occupation: Entrepreneur
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profile name: Andy Williams profile occupation: Singer
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profile name: A.D. Hershey profile occupation: Biologist
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profile name: Christina Rossetti profile occupation: Poet
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profile name: Nick Park profile occupation: Artist
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