What Happened on August 2?

August 2 is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day — a cool summer treat — on the same date delegates signed the Declaration in 1776, Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee made Olympic history in 1992.

• 1776 — Delegates begin signing the engrossed Declaration of Independence

  On August 2, 1776, members of the Continental Congress began signing the carefully handwritten Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Read the full story →

• 1909 — The Lincoln cent enters circulation

  On August 2, 1909, the first Lincoln pennies reached the public — the first regular U.S. coin to feature a real historical person. Read the full story →

• 1956 — Virgin Islands National Park is established

  On August 2, 1956, Congress established Virgin Islands National Park, protecting beaches, reefs, and historic sites on St. John. Read the full story →

• 1990 — Iraq invades Kuwait

  On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait, triggering an international crisis that led to the Persian Gulf War. Read the full story →

• 1992 — Jackie Joyner-Kersee wins Olympic heptathlon gold again

  On August 2, 1992, in Barcelona, Jackie Joyner-Kersee became the first woman to win consecutive Olympic heptathlon gold medals. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

James Baldwin (1924–1987) · Isabel Allende (1942) · Peter O'Toole (1932–2013) · Wes Craven (1939–2015)

Days & observances

National Ice Cream Sandwich Day · National Coloring Book Day · National Friendship Day · National Soft-Serve Appreciation Day