Old clock in sand with the words: It Happend in May

Browse Historical Events by Day: What Happened on May 2nd?

Discover major events and cultural milestones that happened on this day — organized by year. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.

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1506 CE, May 2

The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is laid by Pope Julius II.

1536 CE, May 2

Henry VIII has his second wife, Anne Boleyn, arrested and sent to the Tower of London. She was charged with adultery, incest, and treason. After a trial, she was convicted on May 15 and beheaded four days later. More

1559 CE, May 2

The Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis is signed, ending the Italian Wars and establishing peace between France and Spain.

1611 CE, May 2

The Authorized Version of the Bible (King James Version) was first published, and became the standard English language Bible.

1670 CE, May 2

The Hudson's Bay Company is chartered by King Charles II, granting it a monopoly over the fur trade in the region of Hudson Bay in North America.

1946 CE, May 2

An attempted prison escape by six inmates at Alcatraz resulted in two days of violent fighting, which became known as the Battle of Alcatraz. The six prisoners were able to overpower cellhouse officers and gain access to weapons and cellhouse keys, in effect taking control of the cellhouse. The U.S. Marines were eventually called out to assist, and on May 4, the escape attempt ended. Two officers were shot and killed and 18 other officers were injured during the escape attempt. Three of the inmates attempting the escape were also killed. More about Alcatraz.

2011 CE, May 2

Osama bin Laden, founder of the militant Islamist organization al-Qaeda is killed by US forces in Pakistan. Osama bin Laden—He was the mastermind of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack and numerous others.

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