Today in History, 2 January

Today in History, 2 January: 2023 is here, and with a new year come new resolutions. Whether it’s working out, learning a new language, or pursuing your dreams, most people have made their New Year’s resolutions by now. Hopefully, they also include expanding one’s general knowledge.

Today is January 2nd. The date doesn’t evoke any memorable happenings, but January 2 is an important day in world history.

From the births of one of the most prolific science fiction writers and a heavyweight boxing legend to the demise of the founder of Gucci, the surrender of Granada to Spain, and the establishment of the highest civilian awards in India, many important events took place on 2 January.

n 1492, Granada was reclaimed by Ferdinand II of Aragorn and Isabel I of Castile from Muhammad XII after centuries of Muslim rule.
In 1570, Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible’s march to Novgorod began.
In 1757, Robert Clive recaptured the Indian city of Calcutta from Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah.
In 1906, American engineer Willis Carrier obtained the patent for the world’s first air conditioner.
In 1935, the “Trial of the Century” began in New Jersey involving Bruno Hauptmann, accused of kidnapping and murdering the infant son of American aviator Charles A. Lindbergh.
In 1954, India’s highest civilian awards, the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan were established.
In 1967, American actor-turned-Republican politician Ronald Reagan was sworn in as governor of California.
In 1981, one of the UK’s largest manhunts came to an end with the arrest of Peter Sutcliffe, the “Yorkshire Ripper.”
In 2004, NASA’s spacecraft Stardust collected dust grains from the comet Wild 2, which was later identified to contain the essential amino acid glycine.

World Introvert Day: January 2nd is celebrated as World Introvert Day to understand and appreciate the people who are introverts.