April 2 Flower of the Day: Daffodil
Reconciliation Day – a day to re-establish relationships between family and friends.
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day Peanut butter debuted at the 1883 Chicago World’s Fair. It’s a complete protein Combining a legume (a bean, lentil, or peanut) with a grain (like rice, corn, and wheat) creates a complete protein. This means that peanut butter and jelly mixed with whole wheat bread gives you all of the essential amino acids your body needs.
742 – Birthday of Charlemagne, Frankish king (d. 814)
April 2, 1513 – Florida was sighted by a European for the first time. Ponce de León spotted and landed on the peninsula on April 2, 1513. He named it La Florida in recognition of the verdant landscape and because it was the Easter season, which the Spaniards called Pascua Florida (Festival of Flowers).
The Coinage Act was passed establishing the United States Mint on April 2, 1792.
Children’s Book Day – to commemorate the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen (born 1805), Danish poet and novelist, best known for fairy and folk tales such as The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Little Match Girl, The Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina, and The Ugly Duckling.
Birthday of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (1834), French sculptor of the Statue of Liberty.
Birthday of Emile Zola (1840), French novelist, best known for his newspaper article on the Dreyfus Affair entitled “J’Accuse”
1917 – World War I: United States President Woodrow Wilson asks the U.S. Congress for a declaration of war on Germany.
1956 – As the World Turns and The Edge of Night premiered on CBS-TV. The two soaps become the first daytime dramas to debut in the 30-minute format. As the World Turns aired for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. The Edge of Night ran until December 28, 1984.
April 2, 2005 – Pope John Paul II died at aged 84, after 26 years as Pope. He was succeeded by Pope Benedict XVI.