June 2 is the 153rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 212 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about June 2nd, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about June 2nd in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- Telangana Formation Day
- National Leave the Office Early Day
- National Rocky Road Day
- National Rotisserie Chicken Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – June 2
1979: Pope John Paul II becomes the first pontiff to visit a communist country
Millions of spectators lined the streets of Warsaw as the Pope began his nine-day tour of his native Poland.
1967: Benno Ohnesorg is killed
A police officer shot the unarmed German student at a demonstration against the state visit of the controversial Shah of Iran. It later ruled that the shooting was not an act of self-defense. The event was pivotal for the foundation of the terrorist organization “Movement 2 June”.
1953: Queen Elizabeth II is crowned
The coronation in London’s Westminster Abbey was the first televised major international event in history. Elizabeth’s accession to the throne followed the death of her father, King George VI, 16 months previously.
1946: Italy becomes a parliamentary republic
The transition from a monarchy to today’s Italian Republic was effected by the favorable outcome of a referendum, in which 89 percent of Italians, also including women for the first time, took part.
1847: Felix Mendelssohn’s Wedding March is used at a wedding for the first time
Dorothy Carew and Tom Daniel were the first to use the iconic piece for their wedding ceremony. The event that made the work world famous was the wedding of Victoria, Princess Royal and Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858.
1947: Exodus 1947 ship following British takeover (note damage to makeshift barriers). Banner says: “HAGANAH Ship EXODUS 1947”.

1944: British GAL. 49 Hamilcar Mk.I glider and American Light Tank M22 Locust. UK, 1944

1941: Salvador Dali writes his painting “The Face of War”, in 1941.

1915: Colossal German soldier was taken prisoner by the French, circa 1915

1913 – For a brief period of 6 years, it was possible to mail a baby or small child through the U.S. Postal Service. A US postman carrying a baby boy along with his letters, USA.

Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, June 2
1965: Steve Waugh, Australian cricketer
1965: Mark Waugh, Australian cricketer, journalist
1956: Mani Ratnam, Indian director, producer, screenwriter
1857: Edward Elgar, English composer
1740: Marquis de Sade, French author, politician
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, June 2
2013: Mandawuy Yunupingu, Australian singer-songwriter, guitarist
2008: Bo Diddley, American singer-songwriter, guitarist
1987: Andrés Segovia, Spanish guitarist
1941: Lou Gehrig, American baseball player
1882: Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italian military, politician