On this Day: August 2

On this Day August 2

Musical Milestones

1962 – Robert Zimmerman legally changes his name to Bob Dylan. Twenty-six years later, the legendary singer-songwriter is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1969 – The one-hit wonder duo of Zager and Evans dominates the Billboard Hot 100 with “In The Year 2525.” The single remains at No. 1 for six weeks.

1975 – “One of These Nights,” from the Eagles’ album of the same name, is the No. 1 single, becoming the band’s second chart-topper after “Best of My Love.”

1980 – “Magic,” by Olivia Newton-John, kicks off four weeks as a Billboard chart-topper. The song is from the movie “Xanadu.”

1986 – Peter Cetera has the hottest single with “Glory Of Love,” the theme from the film “Karate Kid Part II.” 

1997 – “I’ll Be Missing You,” by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112, is in the midst of an 11-week reign over the Billboard Hot 100.

2001 – New Orleans International Airport is re-named Louis Armstrong Airport in honor of the New Orleans-born trumpet player, singer and bandleader during a week marking what would have been his 100th birthday.

2003 – “Crazy in Love,” by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z, is in the midst of an eight-week ride at No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart.

History Highlights

1776 – The official signing of the Declaration of Independence takes place on this day, not July 4 as widely believed. John Hancock, president of the Congress, signs the engrossed copy with a bold signature. The other delegates, following custom, sign beginning at the right with the signatures arranged by states from northernmost New Hampshire to southernmost Georgia.

1790 – The first U.S. census is taken. It determines that there are nearly 4 million citizens in the 16 states and Ohio Territory. The U.S. has taken a census every 10 years since then.

1934 – With the death of German President Paul von Hindenburg, Chancellor Adolf Hitler becomes absolute dictator of Germany under the title of Fuhrer (“Leader”).

1943 – Almost two decades before becoming U.S. president, John F. Kennedy is commander of a U.S. Navy patrol torpedo boat (PT-109) in the Solomon Islands that is rammed by a Japanese destroyer and sliced in half. Two crewmen are killed, but 11 survive due largely to Lt. Kennedy’s dramatic rescue efforts.

1985 – Wind gusts from a severe thunderstorm are blamed for the crash of Delta Airlines Flight 191, a Lockheed L-1011 jumbo jet, at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport that leaves 137 people dead. 

1990 – Iraqi troops invade Iraq’s tiny, oil-rich neighbor, Kuwait, quickly capturing Kuwait City and establishing a provincial government. The move leads to “Operation Desert Storm,” a massive U.S.-led military offensive aimed at ousting Iraqi forces to prevent further invasion into nearby Saudi Arabia. 

1992 – Jackie Joyner-Kersee becomes the first woman ever to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals in the heptathlon.

Celebrity Birthdays

1924 – Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Carroll O’Connor, best known for playing Archie Bunker in the CBS sitcom “All in the Family” (d. 2001)

1932 – Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Peter O’Toole (“Lawrence of Arabia,” “The Lion in Winter,” “My Favorite Year”) (d. 2013)

1939 – Director Wes Craven, creator of the “A Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise (d. 2015)

1945 – Golden Globe-winning actress Joanna Cassidy (“Blade Runner,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” “Body of Proof”)

1959 – Comedian, actress and former “SNL” cast member Victoria Jackson

1964 – Emmy and Tony-winning actress Mary-Louise Parker (“Fried Green Tomatoes,” “Bullets Over Broadway,” “Weeds”) 

1976 – Actor Sam Worthington (“Avatar,” “Terminator Salvation,” “Clash of the Titans,” “Wrath of the Titans”)

Own a Piece of This Day

SHOP HERE:

One of These Nights

Eagles

Solitude / Solitaire

Peter Cetera

The American Census: A Social History, Second Edition

Margo J. Anderson

PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival, and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy

William Doyle

Lawrence of Arabia

Starring Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness and Anthony Quinn, and directed by David Lean

Avatar

Starring Sam Worthington and Sigourney Weaver, and directed by James Cameron

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