January 2 in History
January 2 is the birthday of CJ Egan-Riley (2003) and the anniversary of the death of Ágnes Keleti (2025). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for January 2, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Yōzei, Japanese emperor was born in 869, while Liu Chengyou, Emperor Yin of the Later Han died in 951.
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Famous people born on January 2
Famous people who died on January 2
2019
Gene Okerlund (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American wrestling interviewer and announcer (1942–2019)
2018
Thomas S. Monson (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (1927–2018)
2016
A. B. Bardhan (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Former General secretary of the Communist party of India
2016
Nimr al-Nimr (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Shia Muslim religious figure and Saudi government critic; executed in 2016
2013
Gerda Lerner (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American historian and woman's history author (1920–2013)
What happened on January 2
- 2024
Two aircraft collide on a runway at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, killing 5 and injuring 18.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2022
Massive nationwide protests and unrest break out in Kazakhstan over the sudden increase of liquefied petroleum gas prices, leading to 238 people dead and thousands injured by January 11.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2004
Stardust successfully flies past Comet Wild 2, collecting samples that are returned to Earth.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1993
Sri Lankan Civil War: The Sri Lanka Navy kill 35–100 civilians on the Jaffna Lagoon.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1991
Sharon Pratt Dixon becomes the first African American woman mayor of a major city and first woman Mayor of the District of Columbia.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1988
Condor Flugdienst Flight 3782 crashes near Seferihisar, Turkey, killing 16 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1981
One of the largest investigations by a British police force ends when serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, the "Yorkshire Ripper", is arrested in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1978
On the orders of the President of Pakistan, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, paramilitary forces opened fire on peaceful protesting workers in Multan, Pakistan; it is known as 1978 massacre at Multan Colony Textile Mills.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1976
The Gale of January 1976 begins, resulting in coastal flooding around the southern North Sea coasts, affecting countries from Ireland to Yugoslavia and causing at least 82 deaths and US$1.3 billion in damage.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1975
At the opening of a new railway line, a bomb blast at Samastipur, Bihar, India, fatally wounds Lalit Narayan Mishra, Minister of Railways.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1971
The second Ibrox disaster kills 66 fans at a Rangers-Celtic association football match.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1967
Ronald Reagan, past movie actor and future President of the United States, is sworn in as Governor of California.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1963
Vietnam War: The Viet Cong wins its first major victory, at the Battle of Ap Bac.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1959
Luna 1, the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon and to orbit the Sun, is launched by the Soviet Union.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1955
Following the assassination of the Panamanian president José Antonio Remón Cantera, his deputy, José Ramón Guizado, takes power, but is quickly deposed after his involvement in Cantera's death is discovered.
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 January 2
- 869 — Yōzei, Japanese emperor (died 949)
- 1462 — Piero di Cosimo, Italian painter (died 1522)
- 1509 — Henry of Stolberg, German nobleman (died 1572)
Died on January 2
- 951 — Liu Chengyou, Emperor Yin of the Later Han (born 931)
- 951 — Su Fengji, Chinese official and chancellor
- 1096 — William de St-Calais, Bishop of Durham and chief counsellor of William II of England
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for January 2
Quick answers
Who was born on January 2? CJ Egan-Riley (2003), Elye Wahi (2003), Cole Caufield (2001).
Who died on January 2? Ágnes Keleti (2025), Francesc Antich (2025), Daryl Dragon (2019).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in January? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the January 2 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
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