1492Battle
Fall of Granada ends Reconquista
The city of Granada, last Muslim stronghold in Spain, surrendered to Ferdinand and Isabella, ending 781 years of Muslim rule in Iberia.
Sunday 11 October 2026
On This Day
What happened, who was born, who we lost — plus today's horoscope for every sign.
Discover thousands of historical events that happened on this day, your birthday, or any other day of the year. 1,000s of searchable events.
Daily Horoscope
Personal guidance for your zodiac, not generic. Energy, love, career.
On This Day
Real, verified events that share your birthday. Dozens of events per day searchable.
∞
Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Isaac Asimov born (1920) and Cuba Gooding Jr. born (1968), 48 years apart.
2 / 3 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Before dinosaurs existed, dragonflies with 2-foot wings ruled the sky.
Read on CurioVault.co →Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Kate Bosworth1983- Cuba Gooding Jr.1968
- Isaac Asimov1920
2 January in history
9 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
1839Invention
First photograph of Moon taken
Louis Daguerre took the first photograph of the Moon, though technical limitations made it indistinct.
1959Discovery
Luna 1 launched
Soviet Union launched Luna 1, the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon and first to enter heliocentric orbit.
1960TV
Coronation Street first airs - postponed
The pilot for Coronation Street was filmed, the show would become the world's longest-running TV soap opera from December 1960.
1964Songs
Release of 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' US
The Beatles single I Want to Hold Your Hand was released in the US, triggering Beatlemania.
1972Global
Sri Lanka becomes republic
Ceylon became the Republic of Sri Lanka and adopted a new constitution.
1974Law
US national 55 mph speed limit imposed
President Nixon signed 55 mph national speed limit into law to conserve fuel during the oil crisis.
1981Tragedy
Stardust nightclub fire inquiry
Irish government ordered inquiry into 1981 Stardust nightclub fire in Dublin that killed 48 people.
1997Medical
First E. coli genome sequenced
Scientists published the complete genome sequence of Escherichia coli, a milestone for microbiology.
Showing 1-9 of 9 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 2 January — today is 11 October.
Born on this day
3
1920Birth
Isaac Asimov born
Science-fiction writer and biochemist Isaac Asimov was born in Russia, later author of the Foundation series and I, Robot.
1968Birth
Cuba Gooding Jr. born
Cuba Gooding Jr. was born. American actor.
1983Birth
Kate Bosworth born
Kate Bosworth was born. American actress.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Accident
2020Death
Kobe Bryant dies
Kobe Bryant, professional basketball player, died on this day in 2020. Helicopter crash. Remembered as: Five-time NBA champion with the LA Lakers.
Suicide
1994Death
Kurt Cobain dies
Kurt Cobain, musician, died on this day in 1994. Suicide by gunshot. Remembered as: Frontman of Nirvana, voice of a generation.
Assassinated
44 BCDeath
Julius Caesar dies
Julius Caesar, roman general/statesman, died on this day in 44 BC. Assassinated by Roman senators. Remembered as: Critical role in the demise of the Roman Republic.
Suicide
2016Death
Prince dies
Prince, musician, died on this day in 2016. Fentanyl overdose. Remembered as: Innovative artist known for his eclectic work and flamboyant stage presence.
Assassinated
1948Death
Mahatma Gandhi dies
Mahatma Gandhi, political ethicist, died on this day in 1948. Assassinated. Remembered as: Leader of the Indian independence movement.
Famous birthdays
23 this weekToday · 2 January
- Kate BosworthAmerican actress (born 1983)Born 1983 · 43 years ago today
- Cuba Gooding Jr.American actor (born 1968)Born 1968 · 58 years ago today
- Isaac AsimovAmerican writer and biochemist (1920–1992)Born 1920 · 106 years ago today
Coming up this week
Greta ThunbergSwedish activist (born 2003)3 January · born 2003
Mel GibsonAmerican actor and filmmaker (born 1956)3 January · born 1956
J.R.R. TolkienEnglish writer and philologist (1892–1973)3 January · born 1892
Dafne KeenSpanish-British actress (born 2005)4 January · born 2005
Michael StipeAmerican singer (born 1960)4 January · born 1960
Louis BrailleFrench educator and inventor of braille (1809–1852)4 January · born 1809
Celebration2 January
National Science Fiction Day
Celebrates the birth of author Isaac Asimov and the imaginative sci-fi genre.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 2 January.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
Why 2 million people will check OddlyTrue every morning
Learn, laugh, connect with history. Free daily email 7am. 1,000s of searchable events.