829day.year
Theophilos succeeds his father Michael II as Byzantine Emperor.
In 829, Theophilos ascended the Byzantine throne upon his father Michael II's death, becoming emperor at a young age. His reign would later be marked by military campaigns and religious controversy.
In 829, following the death of Emperor Michael II, his son Theophilos inherited the Byzantine throne as sole ruler. Theophilos was only in his early teens when he assumed power, prompting questions about regency and court influence. He continued his father’s iconoclastic policies, enforcing the ban on religious images within the empire. Militarily, Theophilos led campaigns against Arab forces on the eastern frontier, achieving mixed success but demonstrating personal bravery. Under his rule, the imperial court experienced a flourishing of architecture and the arts, especially in the capital Constantinople. His marriage to Theodora would later prove crucial in restoring the veneration of icons after his death in 842.
829
Theophilos
Michael II
Byzantine Emperor
1470day.year
The Earl of Warwick's rebellion forces King Edward IV of England to flee to the Netherlands, restoring Henry VI to the throne.
In 1470, Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick, rebelled against Edward IV, forcing the king into exile. This upheaval briefly restored Henry VI during the Wars of the Roses.
Richard Neville, known as the 'Kingmaker,' led a powerful aristocratic rebellion against King Edward IV of England in October 1470. Dissatisfied with Edward’s favoritism and political maneuvers, Warwick allied with former rival Margaret of Anjou and the Lancastrian faction. Their combined forces overwhelmed royal supporters, compelling Edward IV to flee across the English Channel to the Netherlands. In a dramatic reversal of fortune, the Lancastrian Henry VI was restored to the throne despite his mental frailty. The brief readeption highlighted the deep divisions within the English nobility and foreshadowed further bloodshed. Edward IV would return with mercenary backing in 1471, ultimately securing his dynasty’s hold on power.
1470
The Earl of Warwick
Edward IV of England
Netherlands
Henry VI
1789day.year
The United States Bill of Rights is sent to the various States for ratification.
On October 2, 1789, the U.S. Congress transmitted the proposed Bill of Rights to the states for ratification. These ten amendments would guarantee fundamental freedoms to American citizens.
Drafted primarily by James Madison, the Bill of Rights comprised twelve proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The first eight focused on individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, while others addressed legal protections like due process and trial by jury. After debate in Congress, the proposed amendments were approved and sent to the state legislatures on October 2, 1789. Ratification required approval by three-quarters of the states, a process completed on December 15, 1791, when Virginia became the eleventh state to ratify. The adoption of the Bill of Rights assuaged concerns over federal power and secured popular support for the new government. These amendments remain central to American law and civil rights to this day.
1789
United States Bill of Rights
1870day.year
By plebiscite, the citizens of the Papal States accept annexation by the Kingdom of Italy.
The Papal States vote to join the Kingdom of Italy after a public plebiscite.
In 1870, citizens of the Papal States participated in a plebiscite to determine the fate of their territory. The majority voted in favor of annexation by the Kingdom of Italy, effectively ending the temporal power of the Pope. This event marked a crucial step in Italian unification and the absorption of the Papal States into the newly formed Italian nation. The plebiscite was held amid internal and international political pressures. Voter turnout and campaign conditions reflected the complex relationship between Church and State. After the vote, Italian forces took control of Rome and the surrounding territories. The annexation was later formalized by the Law of Guarantees in 1871. The result reshaped the political and religious landscape of Italy for decades to come.
1870
plebiscite
annexation by the Kingdom of Italy
1919day.year
Seven days after suffering a "physical collapse" following a speech in Pueblo, Colorado, U.S. president Woodrow Wilson has a catastrophic stroke at the White House, leaving him physically and mentally incapacitated for the remainder of his presidency.
President Woodrow Wilson suffers a devastating stroke at the White House, leaving him incapacitated for the rest of his term.
On October 2, 1919, seven days after a reported physical collapse following a speech in Pueblo, President Woodrow Wilson suffered a catastrophic stroke at the White House. The stroke left him partially paralyzed and mentally incapacitated for the remainder of his presidency. During his recovery, First Lady Edith Wilson took on a significant role in screening communications and managing presidential affairs. Wilson's condition was kept secret from the public and many government officials. Historians debate the extent of Edith's influence during this period and its impact on the executive branch. The event raised constitutional questions about presidential succession and the lack of clear protocols. The crisis exposed vulnerabilities in the U.S. political system’s ability to respond to a leader’s health emergency.
1919
physical collapse
speech in Pueblo, Colorado
Woodrow Wilson
stroke
White House
1937day.year
Rafael Trujillo orders the execution of Haitians living in the border region of the Dominican Republic.
Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo orders the massacre of Haitians along the border region.
In October 1937, Dominican Republic ruler Rafael Trujillo orchestrated a brutal massacre targeting Haitians living along the border region, an event later known as the Parsley Massacre. Under his orders, Dominican soldiers separated Haitian immigrants from Dominicans at checkpoints and executed thousands with machetes. The campaign aimed to enforce ethnic and nationality-based exclusion, reflecting nationalist and racist policies. International outcry followed as reports detailed mass graves and testimonies of survivors. The massacre strained diplomatic relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Historians estimate that between 12,000 and 20,000 Haitians died during the operation. Trujillo’s actions left a lasting scar on bilateral ties and are remembered as one of the Caribbean’s most tragic human rights violations.
1937
Rafael Trujillo
execution of Haitians
1958day.year
Guinea declares its independence from France.
Guinea proclaims independence from France, becoming the first French African colony to secede.
On October 2, 1958, Guinea officially declared its independence from France following a referendum rejecting membership in the new French Community. Under the leadership of Ahmed Sékou Touré, Guinea became the first French colony in sub-Saharan Africa to break away. The decision prompted France to withdraw immediately, dismantling administrative structures and leaving Guinea to fend for itself. Despite economic and political challenges, Guinea pursued a socialist path and sought alliances with Eastern bloc nations during the Cold War. The rupture had a ripple effect, inspiring other French territories to seek full sovereignty. Guinea's sudden autonomy also led to initial hardships, including shortages of skilled personnel and resources. Nevertheless, the declaration remains a landmark moment in African decolonization history.
1958
Guinea
1967day.year
Thurgood Marshall is sworn in as the first African-American justice of the United States Supreme Court.
Thurgood Marshall becomes the first African-American Supreme Court Justice.
On October 2, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson administered the oath of office to Thurgood Marshall, making him the first African-American justice of the United States Supreme Court. Marshall had risen to prominence as a lawyer for the NAACP, successfully arguing landmark civil rights cases, including Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. His appointment represented a historic breakthrough in the American legal system and civil rights movement. During his tenure, Justice Marshall championed individual rights and equality, issuing opinions on cases related to free speech, criminal procedure, and equal protection. He served on the Court for twenty-four years, shaping jurisprudence on affirmative action, capital punishment, and Voting Rights Act issues. Marshall’s presence on the nation’s highest court inspired future generations of lawyers and jurists from underrepresented communities. His legacy endures as a testament to the progress of civil rights in the United States.
1967
Thurgood Marshall
1968day.year
Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz orders soldiers to suppress a demonstration of unarmed students, ten days before the start of the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Mexican President authorizes military force to disperse student protesters days before the Olympics.
On October 2, 1968, Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz authorized military action to disperse and suppress a large demonstration of unarmed students in Mexico City’s Tlatelolco district. The protest was part of a broader student movement demanding political reform and greater freedom of expression ahead of the 1968 Summer Olympics. Security forces cordoned off the plaza and opened fire, resulting in an unknown number of deaths and arrests; estimates range from dozens to several hundred. Government censorship and conflicting reports have made the exact toll difficult to determine, but the event galvanized domestic and international criticism. The massacre cast a shadow over the upcoming Olympics, raising questions about human rights under the Institutional Revolutionary Party’s rule. It remains one of the most controversial moments in modern Mexican history, symbolizing the state’s harsh response to dissent. The anniversary is commemorated each year as a reminder of the struggle for democracy and civil liberties in Mexico.
1968
Gustavo Díaz Ordaz
suppress a demonstration of unarmed students
1968 Summer Olympics
1971day.year
South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu is re-elected in a one-man election.
President Nguyen Van Thieu is re-elected as South Vietnam's leader in a one-candidate vote amid controversy over fairness.
On October 2, 1971, President Nguyen Van Thieu secured another term in South Vietnam's presidential election, running unopposed after opponents were disqualified.
Held during the Vietnam War, the election was criticized for its lack of genuine competition and allegations of government manipulation.
Low voter turnout and reports of electoral irregularities cast further doubt on the process.
Thieu's re-election solidified his leadership amid mounting war pressures and political unrest.
The vote highlighted the challenges of democratization in a nation at war and under foreign influence.
International observers and South Vietnamese citizens debated the election's legitimacy for years to follow.
1971
Nguyen Van Thieu
re-elected
1980day.year
Michael Myers becomes the first member of either chamber of Congress to be expelled since the Civil War.
Representative Michael Myers is expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives, the first congressional expulsion since the Civil War.
On October 2, 1980, Representative Michael Myers of Pennsylvania was expelled from the United States House of Representatives, marking the first expulsion of a member from either chamber since the Civil War.
Myers faced allegations and subsequent conviction on corruption charges that shook public confidence in congressional ethics.
The House voted overwhelmingly to remove him, emphasizing the principle of accountability for elected officials.
His expulsion underscored the rare and severe nature of disciplinary action against lawmakers.
The case prompted Congress to strengthen ethics investigations and oversight procedures.
It remains a pivotal moment in the history of legislative integrity in the United States.
1980
Michael Myers
expelled
Civil War
1996day.year
The Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments are signed by U.S. President Bill Clinton.
President Bill Clinton signs the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments, expanding public access to digital federal records.
On October 2, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments into law, updating the 1966 FOIA for the digital era.
The amendments required federal agencies to make electronic records available and searchable, greatly improving transparency.
New provisions established standards for managing, archiving, and disseminating government information online.
This landmark legislation emerged in response to the growing importance of computer and internet technologies.
By streamlining digital access, it empowered citizens, journalists, and researchers to obtain federal data more efficiently.
The act laid the groundwork for future open-government initiatives and online public records portals.
Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments