Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
January 2 Friday, January 2, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 2 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
7
Holidays
1818
UK history 208 years ago
The British Institution of Civil Engineers is founded by a group of six engineers; Thomas Telford would later become its first president.
Six engineers establish the Institution of Civil Engineers in London, with Thomas Telford becoming its first president in 1820.
History
What happened on January 2
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 69World history
The Roman legions in Germania Superior refuse to swear loyalty to Galba. They rebel and proclaim Vitellius as emperor.
Roman soldiers in Germania Superior reject Galba's authority and declare Vitellius emperor instead.
- 366War
The Alemanni cross the frozen Rhine in large numbers, invading the Roman Empire.
The Alemanni cross the frozen Rhine, invading the Roman Empire in significant numbers.
- 533Religion
Mercurius becomes Pope John II, the first pope to adopt a new name upon elevation to the papacy.
Mercurius adopts the name John II upon becoming pope, marking the first instance of a pontiff choosing a new name.
- 1444War
Christian forces defeat the Turks in the battle of Kunovica.
Christian forces defeat the Turks at the Battle of Kunovica, securing control over Bosnia for centuries.
- 1492European history
Reconquista: The Emirate of Granada, the last Moorish stronghold in Spain, surrenders.
The Emirate of Granada surrenders, marking the end of Muslim rule in Spain after nearly eight centuries.
- 1680World history
Trunajaya rebellion: Amangkurat II of Mataram and his bodyguards execute the rebel leader Trunajaya.
Amangkurat II of Mataram and his bodyguards execute Trunajaya, the rebel leader who overthrew him.
- 1777War
American Revolutionary War: American forces under the command of General George Washington repulse a British attack led by General Charles Cornwallis at the Battle of the Assunpink Creek near Trenton, New Jersey.
American forces under George Washington repel a British assault led by Charles Cornwallis at the Battle of Assunpink Creek near Trenton, New Jersey.
- 1788US history
Georgia becomes the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution.
Georgia ratifies the United States Constitution, becoming the fourth state to join the Union after Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
- 1818UK history
The British Institution of Civil Engineers is founded by a group of six engineers; Thomas Telford would later become its first president.
Six engineers establish the Institution of Civil Engineers in London, with Thomas Telford becoming its first president in 1820.
- 1865War
Uruguayan War: The Siege of Paysandú ends as the Brazilians and Coloradans capture Paysandú, Uruguay.
The Brazilians and Coloradans capture Paysandú, ending the siege in the Uruguayan War.
- 1981Crime
One of the largest investigations by a British police force ends when serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, the "Yorkshire Ripper", is arrested in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
Peter Sutcliffe, known as the "Yorkshire Ripper," is arrested in Sheffield, concluding one of Britain's largest police investigations.
- 2022Politics
Massive nationwide protests and unrest break out in Kazakhstan over the sudden increase of liquefied petroleum gas prices, leading to 238 people dead and thousands injured by January 11.
Protests erupt across Kazakhstan over rising LPG prices, resulting in hundreds dead and thousands injured.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 2
7 this date All birthdays
Dugald Campbell Patterson
Canadian engineer
Dugald Campbell Patterson, a Canadian pioneer recognized for his contributions to Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster, was born today in 1860.
Born
1860
Died
1931
Mehmed IV
Ottoman sultan
1642 – 1693
Jack Hanna
American zoologist and author
b. 1947 · 79
Pernell Whitaker
American boxer
1964 – 2019
Cuba Gooding
Jr., American actor and producer
b. 1968 · 58
William Fox-Pitt
English horse rider and journalist
b. 1969 · 57
Luke Harangody
American basketball player
b. 1988 · 38
Music
The number one songs on January 2
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2025"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2024"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2023"Food Aid"— LadBaby
- 2022"Sausage Rolls for Everyone"— LadBaby featuring Ed Sheeran and Elton John
- 2021"Don't Stop Me Eatin'"— LadBaby
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport January 2, 1974
Ohio State defeats USC 42-21 in the Rose Bowl to claim the national championship
The Buckeyes, led by running backs Archie Griffin and Pete Johnson, dominated the previously undefeated Trojans in Pasadena. Ohio State finished the season 10-0-1 and was voted national champion by both major polls.
Read the story
🔬 Science January 2, 2004
Stardust successfully flies past Comet Wild 2, collecting samples that are returned to Earth.
Stardust collects samples from Comet Wild 2 during a flyby, later returning them to Earth for analysis.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Ancestry Day (Haiti)
International
The following are public holidays in Haiti
Berchtold's Day (Switzerland)
International
Berchtoldstag is an Alemannic holiday, known in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Day after New Year's Day (New Zealand)
International
Public holidays in New Zealand consist of a variety of cultural, national, and religious holidays that are legislated in New Zealand
Kaapse Klopse (Cape Town, South Africa)
International
The Kaapse Klopse, officially named the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, is a traditionally Cape Coloured minstrel festival that takes place annually on 2 January in Cape Town, South Africa
The first day of Blacks and Whites' Carnival, celebrated until January 7 (Colombia)
International
Blacks and Whites' Carnival is a Carnival public festival and parade in southern Colombia established in 1546
The ninth of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity)
International
The Twelve Days of Christmas, or Twelve Days of Christmastide, is the festive Christian season celebrating the Nativity of Jesus
❝
I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.
— Nathan Hale · born January 2, 1755