December 02
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Armed Forces Day (Cuba)
A Cuban national holiday commemorating the founding of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces on December 2, 1960, featuring parades and formal ceremonies.
Christianfeast day:
Avitus of Rouen, Bibiana, Channing Moore Williams(Anglicanism), Chromatius, Habakkuk(Eastern Orthodox), December 2 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian liturgical observance honoring several saints whose feast days fall on December 2.
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery(United Nations)
An international observance established by the UN to raise awareness and mobilize efforts for the elimination of all forms of slavery.
Lao National Day
National Day in Laos commemorating the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975.
National Day (United Arab Emirates)
National Day of the United Arab Emirates celebrating the union of the seven emirates and the formation of the UAE in 1971.
Avitus of Rouen
Bibiana
Channing Moore Williams(Anglicanism)
Chromatius
Events
Pope Innocent IV arrives at Lyon for the First Council of Lyon.
In 1244, Pope Innocent IV traveled to Lyon to preside over the First Council of Lyon, shaping church policy and European diplomacy.
The University of Leipzig opens.
The University of Leipzig, one of Germany’s oldest universities, opened in 1409 and became a leading center of Renaissance learning.
St Paul's Cathedral, rebuilt to the design of Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of London, is consecrated.
Sir Christopher Wren's rebuilt St Paul's Cathedral was consecrated in 1697, symbolizing London’s recovery from the Great Fire.
Dedication of the Touro Synagogue, in Newport, Rhode Island, the first synagogue in what will become the United States.
The Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, was dedicated in 1763 as the first Jewish house of worship in future United States.
Swedish parliament approves the Swedish Freedom of the Press Act and implements it as a ground law, thus being first in the world with freedom of speech.
In 1766, Sweden became the first country to enact a Freedom of the Press Act, establishing principles of free speech and transparency.
At Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself Emperor of the French.
On December 2, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of the French in a dramatic ceremony at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
War of the Third Coalition: Battle of Austerlitz: French troops under Napoleon decisively defeat a joint Russo-Austrian force.
In 1805, Napoleon achieved a masterful victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, decisively defeating Russo-Austrian forces.
Monroe Doctrine: In a State of the Union message, U.S. President James Monroe proclaims American neutrality in future European conflicts, and warns European powers not to interfere in the Americas.
In 1823, President James Monroe announced the Monroe Doctrine, declaring opposition to European colonialism in the Americas.
Manifest Destiny: In a State of the Union message, U.S. President James K. Polk proposes that the United States should aggressively expand into the West.
On December 2, 1845, President James K. Polk articulated Manifest Destiny, asserting the United States' right to expand westward.
Births
Emperor Jianwen of Liang
Emperor Jianwen of Liang (503–551) was the third emperor of the Southern Liang dynasty, known for his administrative reforms and patronage of Buddhist scholarship.
Queen Munjeong
Queen Munjeong (1501–1565) was the powerful regent of the Joseon dynasty who oversaw significant cultural and governmental reforms.
Agostino Agazzari
Agostino Agazzari (1578–1641) was an Italian composer and music theorist known for his work in early Baroque sacred music and basso continuo practice.
Thomas Bruce
Thomas Bruce, 1st Earl of Elgin (1599–1663), was a Scottish nobleman who served in the English Parliament and supported the Royalist cause during the English Civil War.
Wilhelm Egon von Fürstenberg
Wilhelm Egon von Fürstenberg (1629–1704) was a German Catholic cardinal and diplomat who served the Holy Roman Empire under Emperor Leopold I.
William Shirley
William Shirley (1694–1771) was an English-American colonial governor who led the Province of Massachusetts Bay during major conflicts in North America.
Ferdinand Konščak
Ferdinand Konščak (1703–1759) was a Croatian Jesuit missionary and explorer who mapped the Baja California Peninsula.
Richard Montgomery
Richard Montgomery (1738–1775) was an Irish-born soldier who became a brigadier general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
William Cooper
William Cooper (1754–1809) was an American lawyer, judge, and founder of Cooperstown, New York.
Deaths
Pope Silverius was a 6th-century pontiff who led the Catholic Church from June 536 to January 537.
Ma Yin
Ma Yin was a warlord and founding monarch of the Chu Kingdom during China's Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
Odo of Wetterau
Odo of Wetterau was a 10th-century German nobleman and count noted for his regional influence in eastern Franconia.
Elvira Menéndez
Elvira Menéndez was queen consort of Castile as the wife of King Alfonso V during the early 11th century.
Muhammad III of Alamut
Muhammad III of Alamut was the Nizari Ismaili Imam who led his community from the mountain fortress of Alamut in the 13th century.
Geoffrey le Scrope
Geoffrey le Scrope was a 14th-century English jurist who served twice as Chief Justice under King Edward III.
Emperor Hanazono was the 95th emperor of Japan, reigning in the early 14th century before becoming a Buddhist monk.
John of Ruusbroec
John of Ruusbroec was a Flemish priest and mystic whose writings deeply influenced Christian spirituality in the Low Countries.
Isabel of Coimbra
Isabel of Coimbra was queen consort of Portugal, known for her piety and patronage of charitable institutions.