February 2 in History
February 2 is the birthday of Lucas Bergvall (2006) and the anniversary of the death of Brian Murphy (actor) (2025). It is also Holiday or observance: Groundhog Day. A lighthearted American tradition centered on a groundhog's prediction of how much winter remains. The observance grew from European seasonal customs and became especially associated with Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.. Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for February 2, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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James I of Aragon was born in 1208, while Laurence of Canterbury, English archbishop and saint died in 619.
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Famous people born on February 2
Famous people who died on February 2
2023
K. Viswanath (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Indian director, screenwriter, and actor (1930–2023)
2021
Captain Tom Moore (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
British Army officer and fundraiser (1920–2021)
2020
Bernard Ebbers (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Canadian-American businessman and fraudster (1941–2020)
2020
Mad Mike Hoare (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
British-Irish military officer and mercenary (1919–2020)
2014
Eduardo Coutinho (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Brazilian film director, screen writer, actor and film producer
What happened on February 2
- 2025
Slovenian NBA player Luka Doncic is traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis in one of the largest trades in American sports history.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2021
The Burmese military establishes the State Administration Council, the military junta, after deposing the democratically elected government in the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2012
The ferry MV Rabaul Queen sinks off the coast of Papua New Guinea near the Finschhafen District, with an estimated 146–165 dead.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2007
Police officer Filippo Raciti is killed when a clash breaks out in the Sicily derby between Catania and Palermo, in the Serie A, the top flight of Italian football. This event led to major changes in stadium regulations in Italy.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2005
The Government of Canada introduces the Civil Marriage Act. This legislation would become law on July 20, 2005, legalizing same-sex marriage.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2004
Swiss tennis player Roger Federer becomes the No. 1 ranked men's singles player, a position he will hold for a record 237 weeks.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2000
First digital cinema projection in Europe (Paris) realized by Philippe Binant with the DLP CINEMA technology developed by Texas Instruments.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1998
Cebu Pacific Flight 387 crashes into Mount Sumagaya in the Philippines, killing all 104 people on board.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1990
Apartheid: F. W. de Klerk announces the unbanning of the African National Congress and promises to release Nelson Mandela.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1989
Soviet–Afghan War: The last Soviet armoured column leaves Kabul.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1987
After the 1986 People Power Revolution, the Philippines enacts a new constitution.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1982
Hama massacre: The government of Syria attacks the town of Hama.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1980
Reports surface that the FBI is targeting allegedly corrupt Congressmen in the Abscam operation.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1971
Idi Amin replaces President Milton Obote as leader of Uganda.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1971
The international Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands is signed in Ramsar, Mazandaran, Iran.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on February 2
- 1208 — James I of Aragon (died 1276)
- 1425 (or 1426) — Eleanor of Navarre, Queen regnant of Navarre (died 1479)
- 1443 — Elisabeth of Bavaria, Electress of Saxony (died 1486)
Died on February 2
- 619 — Laurence of Canterbury, English archbishop and saint
- 880 — Bruno, duke of Saxony
- 1124 — Bořivoj II, Duke of Bohemia (born 1064)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for February 2
Quick answers
Who was born on February 2? Lucas Bergvall (2006), WestCOL (2001), Munetaka Murakami (2000).
Who died on February 2? Brian Murphy (actor) (2025), Don Murray (actor) (2024), Carl Weathers (2024).
What holiday is on February 2? Holiday or observance: Groundhog Day. A lighthearted American tradition centered on a groundhog's prediction of how much winter remains. The observance grew from European seasonal customs and became especially associated with Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania..
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in February? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the February 2 historical article above.
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