May 2 in History
May 2 is the birthday of Princess Charlotte of Wales (born 2015) (2015) and the anniversary of the death of Ricky Davao (2025). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for May 2, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Yongle Emperor of China was born in 1360, while Merneptah, pharaoh of Egypt died in 1203 BCE.
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Famous people born on May 2
Famous people who died on May 2
2014
Žarko Petan (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Žarko Petan, Slovenian director, playwright, and screenwriter (born 1929)
What happened on May 2
- 2014
Two mudslides in Badakhshan, Afghanistan, leave up to 2,500 people missing.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2012
A pastel version of The Scream, by Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, sells for $120 million in a New York City auction, setting a new world record for a work of art at auction.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2011
Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks and the FBI's most wanted fugitive, is killed by the United States Navy SEALs in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2011
An E. coli outbreak strikes Europe, mostly in Germany, leaving more than 30 people dead and many others are taken ill.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2008
Cyclone Nargis makes landfall in Burma killing over 138,000 people and leaving millions of people homeless.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2008
Chaitén Volcano begins erupting in Chile, forcing the evacuation of more than 4,500 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2004
The Yelwa massacre concludes. It began on 4 February 2004 when armed Muslims killed 78 Christians at Yelwa, Nigeria. In response, about 630 Muslims were killed by Christians on May 2.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2000
President Bill Clinton announces that accurate GPS access would no longer be restricted to the United States military.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1999
Panamanian general election: Mireya Moscoso becomes the first woman to be elected President of Panama.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1998
The European Central Bank is founded in Brussels in order to define and execute the European Union's monetary policy.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1995
During the Croatian War of Independence, the Army of the Republic of Serb Krajina fires cluster bombs at Zagreb, killing seven and wounding over 175 civilians.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1989
Cold War: Hungary begins dismantling its border fence with Austria, which allows a number of East Germans to defect.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1986
Chernobyl disaster: The City of Chernobyl is evacuated six days after the disaster.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1982
Falklands War: The British nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror sinks the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1972
In the early morning hours a fire breaks out at the Sunshine Mine located between Kellogg and Wallace, Idaho, killing 91 workers.
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 May 2
- 1360 — Yongle Emperor of China (died 1424)
- 1402 — Eleanor of Aragon, Queen of Portugal (died 1445)
- 1451 — René II, Duke of Lorraine (died 1508)
Died on May 2
- 1203 BCE — Merneptah, pharaoh of Egypt
- 373 CE — Athanasius of Alexandria, Egyptian bishop and saint (born 298)
- 649 — Marutha of Tikrit, Persian theologian of the Syriac Orthodox Church (born 565)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for May 2
Quick answers
Who was born on May 2? Princess Charlotte of Wales (born 2015) (2015), BamBam (1997), Cherprang Areekul (1996).
Who died on May 2? Ricky Davao (2025), George Ryan (2025), Sjoukje Dijkstra (2024).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in May? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the May 2 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
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