Discover · History

On this day — April 2

A hand-curated thread of what happened on this date, across centuries.

Observed today

Public holiday

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is observed in Mexico (Jueves Santo). Recognized nationally.

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Culture

International Children's Book Day

Aligned with Hans Christian Andersen's birthday. Read something with pictures; remember why you started reading in the first place.

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2025

Politics

Liberation Day tariffs: U.S

President Donald Trump announces sweeping worldwide tariffs.

2024

Milestone

Viertola school shooting

A 12-year-old pupil is killed and two others injured by a shooter of the same age in Vantaa, Finland.

2021

Milestone

At least 49 people are killed in a train derailment in Taiwan after a truck accidentally rolls onto the track.

2021

Milestone

A Capitol Police officer is killed and another injured when an attacker rams his car into a barricade outside the United States Capitol.

2020

Milestone

COVID-19 pandemic

The total number of confirmed cases reach one million.

2015

Milestone

Gunmen attack Garissa University College in Kenya

killing at least 148 people and wounding 79 others.

2015

Milestone

Four men steal items worth up to £200 million from an underground safe deposit facility in London's Hatton Garden area in what has been called the "largest burglary in English legal history."

2014

Milestone

A spree shooting occurs at the Fort Hood army base in Texas

with four dead, including the gunman, and 16 others injured.

2012

Milestone

A mass shooting at Oikos University in California leaves seven people dead and three injured.

2012

Milestone

UTair Flight 120 crashes after takeoff from Roshchino International Airport in Tyumen

Russia, killing 33 and injuring 10.

2011

Sport

India wins the Cricket World Cup for the second time in history under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.

2006

Milestone

Over 60 tornadoes break out in the United States

Tennessee is hardest hit with 29 people killed.

2004

Politics

Islamist terrorists involved in the 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks attempt to bomb the Spanish high-speed train AVE near Madrid; the attack is thwarted.

2002

Milestone

Israeli forces surround the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

into which armed Palestinians had retreated.

1992

Milestone

Observed today

Maundy Thursday

International Children's Book Day

Liberation Day tariffs: U.S

Viertola school shooting

At least 49 people are killed in a train derailment in Taiwan after a truck accidentally rolls onto the track.

A Capitol Police officer is killed and another injured when an attacker rams his car into a barricade outside the United States Capitol.

COVID-19 pandemic

Gunmen attack Garissa University College in Kenya

Four men steal items worth up to £200 million from an underground safe deposit facility in London's Hatton Garden area in what has been called the "largest burglary in English legal history."

A spree shooting occurs at the Fort Hood army base in Texas

A mass shooting at Oikos University in California leaves seven people dead and three injured.

UTair Flight 120 crashes after takeoff from Roshchino International Airport in Tyumen

India wins the Cricket World Cup for the second time in history under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.

Over 60 tornadoes break out in the United States

Islamist terrorists involved in the 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks attempt to bomb the Spanish high-speed train AVE near Madrid; the attack is thwarted.

Israeli forces surround the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

In New York, Mafia boss John Gotti is convicted of murder and racketeering and is later sentenced to life in prison.