This Day in History – 2nd November

Every day has been a significant one in the foibles of History. Let’s take a tour of “This Day in History – 2nd of November”.

1783 End of the American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War, also known as the American War of Independence was initiated by the thirteen original colonies in Congress against Great Britain. The war ends on this date back in 1783. After the war, General George Washington, later 1st US President, bids farewell to his army.

1875 1st European crosses equatorial Africa

Verney Lovett Cameron was an English traveler in Central Africa and above all, the first European to cross equatorial Africa from sea to sea. He had reached Benguela in Angola from Africa’s east coast on this day back in 1875.

1898 First cheerleading ever!

Cheerleading begins in the United States as Johnny Campbell leads the crowd cheering on the football team at the University of Minnesota. Although there are records of established cheers being used at US colleges as early as the 1870s, Johnny Campbell is recognized as the first cheerleader to direct a crowd. In 1898, he organized the crowd at a University of Minnesota game using the cheer “Rah, Rah, Rah! Ski-u-mah, Hoo-Rah!”

1907 New York Banking Crisis

During the New York banking crisis, US banker J. P. Morgan locks over 40 bankers in his library to force them to find ways to avert it. Later, the city began to feel the effects of white flight to the suburbs, a downturn in industry and commerce as businesses left for places where it was cheaper and easier to operate, an increase in crime, and an upturn in its welfare burden.

1914 Russia declares war on the Ottoman Empire

After some time, Russia’s allies, Britain and France, declare the war on the Ottoman Empire on 5 November 1914. Subsequently, the Ottoman government had declared neutrality in the recently started war, and negotiations with both sides were underway.

1915 First US election

In Ashtabula, Ohio, the first US election by proportional representation takes place. Progressives were in favor of it. They felt that it will lead to government reform. Above all, proponents of proportional representation also believed it would minimize wasted votes

1932 The “Great Emu War” begins

Australian soldiers armed with Lewis Guns sought to cull the Emu population overcrop destruction in Campion district, Western Australia.

1936 World’s first regular high-definition TV broadcast service

At 3 pm the BBC begins the from specially constructed studios at Alexandra Palace, North London. After the formal opening ceremony, a Movietone newsreel was screened. In addition, a variety show, featuring Adele Dixon and the BBC Television Orchestra was shown. A short documentary, Television Comes to London, revealed the preparations leading up to the launch. In all, the service was on the air for two hours on its first day.

1949 Netherland recognizes Indonesia as a sovereign state

The Kingdom of the Netherlands unconditionally and irrevocably transfers complete sovereignty over Indonesia to the Republic of the United States of Indonesia. Therefore, it recognizes the Republic of the United States of Indonesia as an independent and sovereign Nation.

1966 The Cuban Adjustment Act comes into force.

It allowed 123,000 Cubans the opportunity to apply for permanent residence in the US. Furthermore, this had broadened the scope of acceptance of Cubans by States. 

1983 “Thriller” single released worldwide by Michael Jackson

The music and lyrics evoke horror films, with sound effects such as thunder, footsteps, and wind. It ends with a spoken-word sequence performed by the horror actor Vincent Price. In addition to positive reviews, it became the album’s seventh top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number four.

Listen to the track here.

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