August 02

Events - Society & Lifestyle

1492day.year

The Jews are expelled from Spain: 40,000–200,000 leave. Sultan Bayezid II of the Ottoman Empire, learning of this, dispatches the Ottoman Navy to bring the Jews safely to Ottoman lands, mainly to the cities of Thessaloniki (in modern-day Greece) and İzmir (in modern-day Turkey).

The 1492 Alhambra Decree forces Jews to leave Spain, prompting Bayezid II to welcome refugees into the Ottoman Empire.
On August 2, 1492, the Alhambra Decree mandated the expulsion of Spain's Jewish population, forcing up to 200,000 to choose exile or conversion. Many Jewish families resettled across the Mediterranean, the most significant influx arriving in Ottoman ports such as Thessaloniki and İzmir. Sultan Bayezid II famously dispatched his navy to ensure their safe passage and integration into Ottoman society. The arrival of skilled Jewish artisans, merchants, and scholars enriched the empire's economy and cultural life. This mass migration reshaped the demographics of both Spain and the Ottoman Empire, leaving a lasting legacy on Sephardic Jewry.
1492 The Jews are expelled from Spain Bayezid II Ottoman Empire Ottoman Navy Thessaloniki İzmir Turkey
1869day.year

Japan's Edo society class system is abolished as part of the Meiji Restoration reforms.

Japan abolishes its rigid social class system, a major reform of the Meiji Restoration that modernizes society.
On August 2, 1869, the Japanese government officially dismantled the feudal class hierarchy of the Edo period. The traditional order of samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants was replaced by a more flexible social structure. This reform aimed to break down old privileges and integrate Japan into the modern world. Former samurai were encouraged to pursue roles in business, government, and the military based on merit. The change promoted social mobility and fueled rapid industrialization and cultural transformation. It laid the groundwork for Japan's emergence as a unified modern nation-state.
1869 Edo society Meiji Restoration
1918day.year

The first general strike in Canadian history takes place in Vancouver.

Workers in Vancouver stage Canada’s first general strike in protest of wartime wage controls and working conditions.
On August 2, 1918, over 1,000 unionized workers in Vancouver walked off their jobs, initiating Canada’s first general strike. The action began as a response to rising inflation, stagnant wages, and poor working conditions exacerbated by World War I. Various labor organizations joined the movement, halting public transportation, dock operations, and other essential services. Although the strike lasted less than a week, it drew national attention to the labor movement and highlighted growing tensions between workers and government. Authorities threatened martial law but eventually negotiated small concessions, marking a cautious victory for organized labor. The Vancouver strike set a precedent for future labor activism in Canada, paving the way for broader social reforms in the interwar period.
1918 general strike takes place