2 May in Indian and World History is celebrated, observed, and remembered for various reasons. 2 May is the birth anniversary of Satyajit Ray and Vishnukant Shastri.
2 May is also observed as the death anniversary of Padmaja Naidu and Banarasidas Chaturvedi.
Birth Anniversary
2 May in Indian history is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the following personalities:
Satyajit Ray (2 May 1921 – 23 April 1992), one of the world’s greatest film personalities of the twentieth century, who gave a new direction to the films of the realistic stream. Apart from this, he also showed his talent in other genres like literature, and painting. He was best known as a director in films but has also earned a notable reputation as a writer and litterateur. His first film ‘Pather Panchali’ received a total of eleven international awards including the “Best Human Document” award at the Cannes Film Festival. Satyajit Ray, who gave new recognition to Indian films in the world, is honored with Padma Shri (1958), Padma Bhushan (1965), Padma Vibhushan (1976), and Ramon Magsaysay Award (1967) in addition to Bharat Ratna (1992). Awarded the Honorary Oscar Award’ to Satyajit Ray for his phenomenal contribution to world cinema. Apart from this, he and his work won a total of 32 National Film Awards. He was born on 2 May 1921.
Vishnukant Shastri (2 May 1929 – 17 April 2005), was an Indian politician and litterateur. He was also the Governor of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. He participated in lecture series at universities and literary institutions across the country. He was an authoritative scholar of Bhakti literature. He also had a special interest in the fields of poetry reading, travel, education, literature, and philosophy. He was born on 2 May 1929 in Kolkata.
Read More: 1 May in Indian and World History
Death Anniversary
2 May in Indian history is observed as the death anniversary of the following personalities:
Padmaja Naidu (17 November 1900 – 2 May 1975), was the daughter of the famous Indian politician, Mrs. Sarojini Naidu. Like her mother, she also dedicated her whole life to the cause of India. National service as well as his humanitarian approach is always remembered. Padmaja Naidu was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award of the Government of India in 1962. She died on 2 May 1975.
Banarasidas Chaturvedi (24 December 1892 – 2 May 1985), was a famous journalist and a source of inspiration for the publication of literature in memory of martyrs. He is counted among the foremost journalists and litterateurs. Although the signs of affection for Hindi literature and the writer’s interest were visible in him even before he became a journalist. From the year 1914, he started writing on the problems of the diaspora. Banarsidas was also a member of the Rajya Sabha for twelve years. He was honored with ‘Padma Bhushan’ in 1973 by the Government of India in the field of literature and education.
Read More: 30 April in Indian and World History
Notable events on 2 May in Indian and World History
2 May 1519 – Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian polymath, artist, scientist, inventor, and writer, died.
May 2, 1857 – Alfred Louis Charles de Musset-Pathay a prominent French dramatist, poet, and novelist of the Romantic era – died.
2 May 1875 – America stopped minting the 20-cent coin.
2 May 1885 – King Leopold II of Belgium established the independent State of the Congo.
2 May 1907 – On this day, the fire of riots broke out in Rawalpindi, which spread from West Bengal to Punjab.
2 May 1920 – The first match of Negro National League Baseball was played in Indianapolis.
2 May 1924 – The Netherlands refused to recognize the Soviet Union.
2 May 1926 – On this day, Hindu women got the right to take elected office.
2 May 1933 – In Germany, Hitler imposed a ban on trade unions.
2 May 1933 – Juliano Moreira, a Brazilian psychiatrist, died.
2 May 1945 – The German army surrendered in Italy.
2 May 1949 – The trial of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination case began.
2 May 1950 – France handed over its colony of Chandranagar, located near Kolkata, to the Government of India.
2 May 1952 – The De Havilland Comet 1, the world’s first jet aircraft, made its maiden flight from London to Johannesburg.
2 May 1959 – The first thermoplastic plant was opened in Risra.
2 May 1968 – The Lok Sabha passed the Public Provident Fund Bill.
2 May 1968 – The Public Provident Fund Act was approved in the Lok Sabha on this day.
2 May 1979 – Giulio Natta an Italian chemist and Nobel Prize laureate, died.
2 May 1994 – There was a bus accident in Poland in which 32 people died.
2 May 1996 – On this day, the famous Guru Chandraswami was sentenced to Tihar Jail for cheating.
2 May 1997 – John Carew Eccles, an Australian neurophysiologist, died.
2 May 2002 – Inzamamul Haque of Pakistan scored 329 runs against New Zealand.
2 May 2004 – Marek Belka became the new Prime Minister of Poland.
2 May 2008 – Cyclone Nargis hit Verma, killing 138,000 people and rendering millions homeless.
2 May 2018 – Satoshi Kako, a Japanese author and illustrator, died.
2 May 2010 – SEVI’s directive to institutional investors to pay 100% at the same time as retail investors while applying for purchase of new issues in the primary capital market became effective in 2010.
2 May Historical Significance
May 2nd holds historical significance for various events across different periods and regions. One notable event is the anniversary of the May 2, 1945, capture of Berlin by the Soviet Union during World War II, marking a crucial moment in the defeat of Nazi Germany. Additionally, May 2nd is also recognized as the anniversary of the May 2, 2011, killing of Osama bin Laden, the leader of the terrorist group al-Qaeda, by United States Navy SEALs in Pakistan, a significant milestone in the global fight against terrorism. These events symbolize important turning points in the course of history, shaping international relations and the collective memory of societies worldwide.
Important Days of 2 May in History
World Tuna Day: This day highlights the importance of sustainable fishing practices and the conservation of tuna populations. Tuna is a vital marine resource globally, both economically and ecologically, and World Tuna Day aims to raise awareness about the challenges facing tuna fisheries and promote responsible fishing practices.
International Firefighters’ Day: This day honors the bravery and sacrifice of firefighters worldwide. It’s a time to recognize the selfless dedication of firefighters who risk their lives to protect others and their communities from fire and other emergencies. International Firefighters’ Day also serves as a reminder to express gratitude and support for the invaluable service these individuals provide.