1869
Politics
Mahatma Gandhi Born
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in Porbandar, India. His philosophy of nonviolent resistance inspired independence movements worldwide and October 2 is now observed as the International Day of Non-Violence.
On This Day in History
1950
Culture
Peanuts Comic Strip Debuts
Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts first appeared in seven newspapers. The comic strip featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and friends ran for 50 years and became one of the most popular and influential in history.
1187
War & Conflict
Saladin Captures Jerusalem
Kurdish Muslim leader Saladin captured Jerusalem from the Crusaders after the Battle of Hattin. Unlike the Crusaders' brutal conquest in 1099, Saladin allowed Christian and Jewish residents to leave peacefully.
1835
War & Conflict
Texas Revolution Begins
The Battle of Gonzales marked the beginning of the Texas Revolution against Mexican rule. Texas settlers' refusal to return a cannon, under a flag reading 'Come and Take It,' started the fight for independence.
1925
Technology
John Logie Baird Demonstrates Television
Scottish inventor John Logie Baird successfully demonstrated the first working television system. His mechanical television transmitted recognizable moving images, launching the television age.
1967
Politics
Thurgood Marshall Sworn In
Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as the first African American Supreme Court Justice. Marshall had previously argued Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark desegregation case.
2006
Disaster
Amish School Shooting
A gunman killed five Amish schoolgirls in a one-room schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. The Amish community's response of forgiveness toward the killer attracted worldwide attention.