1945: Japan formally surrenders
On 2 September 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, the
Second World War officially ends when
Japanese officials surrender on behalf of their country. A mass of news correspondents jammed the decks along with officers from all the participating Allied countries. American General
Douglas MacArthur presided over the brief ceremony and signed the document on behalf of the combined Allied forces. According to the terms of the document, Emperor
Hirohito and the Japanese government were now subject to the authority of the Supreme Allied Commander of occupied
Japan, a post subsequently filled by General MacArthur.
2004
Former Yugoslavian leader Slobodan Milosevic is declared unfit to represent himself at his war crimes trial in The Hague. The
UN tribunal appoints two lawyers to represent him.
1998
A
United Nations court finds Jean-Paul Akayesu, the former
mayor of a small town in
Rwanda, guilty of nine counts of
genocide, the first conviction of this kind since the 1948 law banning genocide was introduced.
1994
Popular British entertainer and
charity campaigner Roy Castle dies aged 62 from lung cancer.
1984
In
Australia, six people are killed in a gun battle between rival biker gangs in Sydney.
1979
In England, police discover the body of Barbara Leach, the 12th victim of the Ian Sutcliffe, the “Yorkshire Ripper.” 1969
The classic cult television series Star Trek airs its last episode. 1945
Ho Chi Minh proclaims the foundation of the Democratic Republic of
Vietnam (North Vietnam).
1901
The then Vice President of the United States,
Theodore Roosevelt, makes his famous remark regarding American foreign policy saying America should, ‘speak softly and carry a big stick.’
1898
British troops, led by Lord Kitchener, defeat the Sudanese at the Battle of Omdurman and re-occupy the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.1870
Franco Prussian War:
Napoleon III surrenders to the Prussian Army who emerge victorious at the Battle of Sedan in
France. 1792
During the
French Revolution, the September Massacres begin – violent mobs attack mainly Catholic targets throughout France.
1666
The Great
Fire of London begins in Pudding Lane. It ends on 6th September at Pye Corner - the flames put out by rain. Although an enormous number of properties are burnt but only six people are killed
1649
The Papal Army of Pope
Innocent X destroys the
Italian city Castro, thus bringing to an end the Wars of Castro.
31BC
A naval force, commanded by Mark Anthony and including a squadron of ships supplied by Egyptian Queen
Cleopatra, is defeated at the
Battle of Actium by Roman Legions under the command of
Octavian. 1965
British boxer Lennox Lewis is born in London - Britain's first world heavyweight champion of the 20th Century. Although a gold medal winner at the 1988 Olympics for
Canada (where he was brought up as a boy) Lewis returns to
Britain and becomes European heavyweight champion in 1990. In 1991 he beats defending champion Gary Mason to win the British title and in December 1992, as number one contender, Lewis is awarded the WBC world heavyweight title by default when current champion, Riddick Bowe, refuses to fight him and is stripped of his title.
1964
American film
actor Keanu Reeves is born in Beirut. Films include 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure' and 'Speed'.
1952
American tennis player Jimmy Connors is born in
Illinois. Becomes Wimbledon men's singles champion is 1974 and 1982 and 3 times winner of the US Open. A left-handed player, one of the first to play with a double-handed backhand.
1948
American teacher/astronaut Sharon Christa Corrigan McAuliffe. Dies in Shuttle disaster in 1980s when the spacecraft with 7 astronauts on board explodes only seconds after take-off.1925
British entertainer Russ Conway. Has a successful career as a popular pianist with several hit records. Career fades in early 1960s with the advent of British and American pop groups overshadowing solo performers.1913
Birth of legendary Liverpool football manager Bill Shankly in Scotland. As a player wins an FA Cup medal with Preston North End and five Scottish international caps. Becomes manager of Carlisle, Grimsby, Workington and Huddersfield before joining Liverpool and creating one of Europe's top football clubs of the 1970s.. Shankly dies in 1981 aged 68.1911
Actress Eileen Way.1838
Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani. Reigns between 1891-1893 and is the last
sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific before they are annexed by the United States in 1898.
1726
English prison reformer
John Howard is born at Hackney in London. Following a tour of British prisons he is the driving force behind several Acts of Parliament improving conditions for prisoners.Gives his name to the Howard League for Penal Reform. Dies of
typhus contracted while visiting a Russian military prison in 1790 aged 64.
1997
Sir Rudolf Bing, the general manager of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York from 1950-1972 dies aged 95.1973
British writer
J R R Tolkien, author and creator of 'The Hobbit' (1937) and 'Lord of the Rings' (1954) aged 81.
1937
Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin who was responsible for reviving the Ancient Games of
Greece by creating the modern Olympics in 1896.
1910
French painter Henri Rousseau dies in
Paris. 1834
Thomas Telford, Scottish civil engineer, dies in London aged 77 and is buried in Westminister Abbey. Originally apprenticed to a stonemason, Telford became one of Britain's most prolific builders of roads, canals and bridges. Responsible for construction of the Caledonian Canal; the wrought-iron Menai Suspension Bridge (580 feet) linking north Wales to the island of Anglesey. The town of Telford, in Shropshire - the site of one of his famous iron bridges - is named after him. 
