Important Events From This day in History – 2 April

Today in History

• 2002 Israeli forces besiege the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

  The Israeli Defense Force had taken over Bethlehem to apprehend wanted Palestinians. After some militants fled into the church, which is thought to stand on the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth, the 39-day siege began.

• 1982 Argentina occupies the Falkland Islands

  The invasion heightened a long-running dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the South Atlantic archipelago. It precipitated the Falkland War, which the United Kingdom won.

• 1968 Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey receives its world premiere

  The epic about human evolution, technology, and extraterrestrial life polarised audiences and critics alike when it was released. It is now regarded as a genre classic.

• 1800 Ludwig van Beethoven’s First Symphony is premiered

  The German composer conducted the orchestra himself. The premiere received exceptionally positive reviews.

• 1792 The U.S. dollar is introduced

  The Mint Act of 1792 established the Dollar as the official currency of the United States. Today, the US Dollar accounts for roughly two-thirds of global trade.