April 2
Subject to Britannica's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Featured Event
Everett Historical/Shutterstock.com
Protesters march in Richmond bread riot
On this day in 1863, residents of Richmond, Virginia, rioted to protest a dire food shortage in the city. On March 27, Confederate Pres. Jefferson Davis called for a day of fasting and prayer—which angered many. More than a hundred women began marching toward government storehouses on April 2, yelling “Bread or blood!” It was only after Davis threatened to shoot the rioters (who had started ransacking warehouses) that things settled, though more than 60 rioters were arrested. [Read today’s edition of Today in History > >]
Featured Biography
Featured Biography
© Photos.com/Jupiterimages
This prince, though the hero of numerous romantic legends, appears greater in history than in fiction.…The historical representation is doubtless the true one, for it is handed down in trustworthy records, and is confirmed by the events of the age.
Born this day c. 742, Charlemagne, Holy Roman emperor and king of the Franks and the Lombards, united in one superstate practically all the Christian lands of western Europe and oversaw a cultural renaissance in his empire.
Famous Birthdays
More on April 2
Ian Gaven—Getty Images Entertainment/Thinkstock
2015
Portuguese filmmaker Manoel de Oliveira, who was known for richly meditative and often self-reflexive films that were frequently inspired by literary and theatrical works, died at age 106. [Test your knowledge of cinema.]
Claudio Luffoli—AP/REX/Shutterstock.com
2005
Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church from 1978, Pope John Paul II, who was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the first from a Slavic country, died in Vatican City. He was made a saint in 2014.
Splash/Newscom
1992
American organized-crime boss John Gotti was convicted on 13 criminal counts—including the murder of Paul Castellano and others, racketeering, and obstruction of justice—and was sentenced to life in prison. [Take our mobster name quiz.]
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
1982
Argentine troops seized the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), precipitating the Falkland Islands War with Britain. [Discover how much you know about warfare.]
© Columbia Broadcasting System
1978
The soap opera Dallas debuted as a five-part miniseries on American television; hugely popular, it became a running series and revolutionized prime-time dramas. [Sort fact from fiction in our pop culture quiz.]
© 1968 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
1968
Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey had its world premiere in Washington, D.C.; it became a classic, setting the benchmark for sci-fi films. [Take our Stanley Kubrick quiz.]
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
1917
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. [Sort fact from fiction in our World War I quiz.]
© Archive Photos
1914
British actor Alec Guinness, who was known for the variety and excellence of his stage and screen characterizations, was born. [Take our actors and acting quiz.]
Karsh—Rapho/Woodfin Camp and Associates
1891
German sculptor and painter Max Ernst, who was a leading advocate of irrationality in art, was born. [Test your knowledge of sculptors and sculpture.]
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
1865
In the face of advancing Union forces, Confederate troops evacuated Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.; map division
1681
King Charles II of England officially proclaimed the charter he had granted in March to William Penn for the Quaker colony of Pennsylvania in North America. [How much do you know about early America?]
© North Wind Picture Archives
1513
Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León landed on the coast of Florida. [Watch a video about Florida and its geography, people, economy, and history.]