Advent Calendar Day
World Ballet Day is an annual event celebrating the beauty and artistry of ballet across the globe. Since its inception in 2014, World Ballet Day has provided fans with an inside look at the world of ballet, offering live-streamed classes, rehearsals, and exclusive backstage content. Typically held in October, the day is a collaborative effort by some of the world’s top ballet companies, including The Royal Ballet, The Australian Ballet, and the Bolshoi Ballet.
Deviled Egg Day
National Deviled Egg Day is celebrated on November 2nd each year, honoring this classic party favorite known for its creamy, savory filling and endless flavor variations. Deviled eggs are a popular appetizer or snack, made by halving hard-boiled eggs, scooping out the yolks, and mixing them with ingredients like mayonnaise, mustard, and spices before piping them back into the egg whites. The holiday is a chance to get creative with flavors, garnishes, and even new twists on the traditional recipe.
November 2nd has seen a variety of significant historical events across many years.
Major Historical Events on November 2nd
1889 – North Dakota and South Dakota become U.S. states: North and South Dakota were admitted as the 39th and 40th states of the United States, although it’s unknown which was technically first, as President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the documents to avoid favoritism.
1898 – The “Wilmington Insurrection” in North Carolina: Also called the Wilmington Massacre, this was a violent and racially motivated political coup in Wilmington, North Carolina. White supremacists overthrew the elected biracial government, killed African Americans, and destroyed black-owned businesses.
1930 – Haile Selassie becomes Emperor of Ethiopia: Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. He would later become a central figure in the Rastafarian movement and is celebrated for his progressive reforms and efforts to modernize Ethiopia.
1947 – First and only flight of the Hughes H-4 Hercules (“Spruce Goose”): Designed by Howard Hughes, the massive wooden plane made its first and only flight in Long Beach, California. Built during WWII, it was meant to be a transport aircraft but wasn’t completed until after the war.
1948 – President Harry S. Truman wins a surprise re-election: Against all odds, Truman defeated Republican candidate Thomas Dewey. This led to the famous image of Truman holding up a newspaper with the incorrect headline “Dewey Defeats Truman.”
1959 – The Quiz Show Scandals: Charles Van Doren admitted to a U.S. House subcommittee that he had been given answers in advance to win on the television quiz show Twenty-One, marking a significant scandal in U.S. television history.
1983 – U.S. President Ronald Reagan signs a bill creating Martin Luther King Jr. Day: The holiday honors Dr. King and is observed annually on the third Monday of January, first celebrated in 1986.
2000 – First crew arrives on the International Space Station (ISS): The Expedition 1 crew became the first permanent inhabitants of the ISS, marking the start of continuous human presence in space.
2004 – George W. Bush re-elected as U.S. President: Incumbent President George W. Bush won re-election against Democratic challenger Senator John Kerry.
Famous Birthdays on November 2nd
Marie Antoinette (1755–1793): Queen of France known for her extravagant lifestyle; she became a symbol of excess and was executed during the French Revolution.
James K. Polk (1795–1849): 11th President of the United States, recognized for his role in the expansion of U.S. territory, including the annexation of Texas.
Warren G. Harding (1865–1923): 29th President of the United States, whose term was marred by scandals after his death, including the Teapot Dome scandal.
Burt Lancaster (1913–1994): Celebrated American actor known for his work in films such as From Here to Eternity and Elmer Gantry.
k.d. lang (1961–): Grammy-winning Canadian singer-songwriter known for her distinctive voice and hits like “Constant Craving.”
Famous Deaths on November 2nd
Thomas Paine (1737–1809): Though he did not die on this date, he is sometimes mistakenly mentioned in this context. Paine, an influential English-born American political activist and author, wrote influential works such as Common Sense and The American Crisis, which rallied support for American independence.
George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950): The celebrated Irish playwright, critic, and Nobel Prize laureate is best known for works like Pygmalion (which inspired the musical My Fair Lady) and Man and Superman. Shaw’s witty, insightful critiques of society and human nature have made his works classics.
Peter II of Russia (1715–1730): The Emperor of Russia from 1727 until his early death in 1730, Peter II’s passing marked the end of the direct male line of the Romanov dynasty. His death led to the accession of Anna Ivanovna.
Jenny Lind (1820–1887): Known as the “Swedish Nightingale,” Lind was an internationally famous opera singer from Sweden who toured extensively and captured audiences with her voice. Her U.S. tour was famously promoted by P.T. Barnum.
Pier Paolo Pasolini (1922–1975): An Italian film director, writer, and intellectual, Pasolini was known for his bold, often controversial films and writings, exploring issues of sexuality, politics, and religion. His death, shrouded in mystery, has become the subject of much speculation and intrigue.
James Dunn (1901–1967): An American actor who won an Academy Award for his role in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Dunn was a significant figure in early Hollywood.
Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi (1828–1858): Although her death did not occur on November 2nd, she is remembered widely for her bravery in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Her story has become symbolic of resistance against colonial rule.
Irving Reis (1906–1953): A screenwriter and director in Hollywood, Reis directed films such as The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer and All My Sons. His work had a significant influence on the post-WWII film landscape.
Alexander the Great (356–323 BC): Though he did not die on this date, his impact is often remembered in November due to remembrances and historical retrospectives around this time. Alexander, one of the most successful military commanders in history, created an empire that spanned from Greece to Egypt and India.
