What Happened on May 2?

May 2 celebrates National Truffle Day for chocolate lovers — on the same date the King James Bible appeared in 1611, Madrileños rose against Napoleon in 1808, the first commercial jet entered service in 1952, and Tony Blair led Labour to victory in 1997.

• 1611 — The King James Bible is published in London

  On May 2, 1611, printers in London released the King James Version of the Bible — an English translation that shaped literature, law, and speech for centuries. Read the full story →

• 1808 — Madrid rises against Napoleon's occupying army

  On May 2, 1808, crowds in Madrid attacked French soldiers — sparking brutal reprisals and inspiring Spain's war of independence against Napoleon. Read the full story →

• 1933 — The Inverness Courier reports a sighting of the Loch Ness Monster

  On May 2, 1933, a Scottish newspaper published an account of a strange creature in Loch Ness — launching one of the world's most famous mystery legends. Read the full story →

• 1952 — BOAC launches the world's first commercial jet passenger service

  On May 2, 1952, British Overseas Airways Corporation began scheduled jet flights from London to Johannesburg using the de Havilland Comet — the first regular jet airline service. Read the full story →

• 1997 — Tony Blair leads Labour to a landslide election victory

  Britain's general election on May 1, 1997, gave Tony Blair's Labour Party its biggest win since 1945 — ending 18 years of Conservative rule when results were clear May 2. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Catherine the Great (1729–1796) · Benjamin Spock (1903–1998) · Dwayne Johnson (1972) · Eddie Murphy (1961)

Days & observances

National Truffle Day · National Baby Day · World Tuna Day · National Brothers and Sisters Day