May 02
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Ahudemmeh(Syriac Orthodox Church)., Athanasius of Alexandria(Western Christianity), Bolesław Strzelecki(Catholic Church), Boris I of Bulgaria(Bulgarian Orthodox Church), Germanus of Normandy, Joseph Luu Van Nguyen(Catholic Church), Wiborada(Catholic Church), William Tirry(Catholic Church), May 2 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
On May 2, various Christian communities honor numerous saints and martyrs through liturgical services and prayers, uniting Syriac Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and Catholic traditions.
The last day of the Festival ofRidván(Baháʼí Faith) (this date is non-Gregorian and may change according to theMarch equinox, seeList of observances set by the Baháʼí calendar)
Marks the twelfth and final day of the twelve-day Festival of Ridván in the Baháʼí Faith, commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's declaration of his mission.
Anniversary of the Dos de Mayo Uprising(Community of Madrid,Spain)
Commemorates the 1808 uprising of Madrid's citizens against French occupation, observed with ceremonies and cultural festivals throughout the Community of Madrid.
Birth Anniversary of Third Druk Gyalpo(Bhutan)
Honors the birth of the Third Druk Gyalpo, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck of Bhutan, recognized as the father of modern Bhutan.
Flag Day (Poland)
Polish Flag Day celebrates the national flag's history and significance, encouraging citizens to display and honor the white-and-red banner.
Indonesia National Education Day
Indonesia National Education Day honors the birth of Ki Hajar Dewantara and celebrates educational achievements and innovation across the nation.
Teachers' Day(Iran) (this date is non-Gregorian and may change according to the March Equinox, seeList of observances set by the Solar Hijri calendar)
Iranian Teachers' Day recognizes the contributions of educators, celebrated with ceremonies and tributes across the country.
InternationalHarry PotterDay
Celebrates the global phenomenon of Harry Potter, inviting fans to revisit the wizarding world through reading, events, and themed activities.
World Tuna Day
World Tuna Day raises global awareness about the importance of sustainable tuna fisheries and marine conservation.
Events
King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first royal charter.
In 1194, King Richard I granted Portsmouth its first royal charter, marking the town's official status and granting its citizens rights and privileges.
William de Braose is hanged by Prince Llywelyn the Great.
In 1230, Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great ordered the execution of William de Braose as part of his campaign to consolidate power in the Marches.
Anne Boleyn, Queen of England, is arrested and imprisoned on charges of adultery, incest, treason and witchcraft.
In 1536, Queen Anne Boleyn was arrested on charges of adultery, incest, treason, and witchcraft, setting the stage for her dramatic fall and execution.
John Knox returns from exile to Scotland to become the leader of the nascent Scottish Reformation.
In 1559, Scottish reformer John Knox returned from exile to lead the Scottish Reformation and reshape the nation's religious landscape.
Mary, Queen of Scots, escapes from Lochleven Castle.
On May 2, 1568, Mary, Queen of Scots, escaped from Lochleven Castle, evading her captors and reigniting her struggle for power.
The King James Version of the Bible is published for the first time in London, England, by printer Robert Barker.
In 1611, the King James Version of the Bible was published in London by Robert Barker, becoming one of the most influential English translations.
Afonso Mendes, appointed by Pope Gregory XV as Latin Patriarch of Ethiopia, arrives at Beilul from Goa.
In 1625, Afonso Mendes arrived in Beilul from Goa as the newly appointed Latin Patriarch of Ethiopia, marking an important moment in Catholic-Ethiopian relations.
King Charles II of England grants a permanent charter to the Hudson's Bay Company to open up the fur trade in North America.
On May 2, 1670, King Charles II granted a permanent charter to the Hudson's Bay Company, launching its fur trade empire in North America.
Outbreak of the Peninsular War: The people of Madrid rise up in rebellion against French occupation. Francisco de Goya later memorializes this event in his painting The Second of May 1808.
On May 2, 1808, the people of Madrid rose against French occupation, igniting the Peninsular War, later immortalized by Goya’s painting.
Births
Third emperor of China's Ming dynasty, known for moving the capital to Beijing and commissioning the Forbidden City.
Eleanor of Aragon
Queen consort of Portugal in the early 15th century, renowned for her political influence and piety.
René II
Duke of Lorraine who secured his duchy by defeating Charles the Bold and shaping late 15th-century French politics.
Portuguese princess and later Queen consort, founder of one of the first charitable organizations in Lisbon.
Charles I
Bohemian nobleman who served as Duke of Münsterberg-Oels and Governor of Bohemia and Silesia under the Habsburgs.
Philip II
German duke of the Welf dynasty who ruled Brunswick-Grubenhagen during the tumultuous Reformation era.
William Camden
English antiquarian and historian whose topographical survey 'Britannia' shaped the study of Britain's past.
Sebald de Weert
Dutch naval officer and explorer who commanded early VOC expeditions to Asia and the southern Atlantic.
Tokugawa Hidetada
Second shōgun of the Tokugawa dynasty who consolidated peace and governance in early Edo-period Japan.
Deaths
Merneptah
Merneptah was the fourth pharaoh of Egypt’s 19th Dynasty, renowned for the Merneptah Stele referencing early Israel. He reigned c. 1213–1203 BCE.
Athanasius of Alexandria
Egyptian bishop of Alexandria who defended the doctrine of the Trinity and emerged as a leading Church Father.
Marutha of Tikrit
Syriac Orthodox theologian and maphrian of the East who shaped 7th-century Eastern Christian doctrine.
Liu Zong
Tang dynasty general who led campaigns to suppress regional rebellions and managed strategic border provinces.
Khan of Bulgaria who embraced Christianity and laid the foundations of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
Leo I
Medieval Armenian king of Cilician Armenia known for defending his kingdom against Seljuk and Mongol incursions.
William de Braose
Anglo-Norman baron of the Welsh Marches involved in dynastic struggles and border politics.
Meir of Rothenburg
Influential German rabbi and Talmudic scholar whose legal writings guided Ashkenazi communities.
French noblewoman who served as queen consort and regent of Navarre during the late 13th century.