September 2 in History: World War II Ends, the First U.S. ATM Opens & Google Chrome Launches

Scott Winters, Realtor

Discover what happened on September 2 in history as wars ended, new technologies transformed everyday life, historic milestones were reached, and unforgettable moments helped shape the world we know today.

 

What Happened on September 2 in History?

On this day, the Great Fire of London began, Japan formally surrendered to end World War II, the first U.S. ATM opened, and Google launched its Chrome web browser.

 

SEPTEMBER 2 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1666 – The Great Fire of London began. The fire burned for several days, destroying thousands of buildings, including Old St. Paul’s Cathedral.

1752 – September 2 was followed by September 14 in Great Britain and its colonies as the country switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. As a result, September 3 through September 13 did not exist there in 1752.

1789 – The United States Department of the Treasury was established.

1888 – A towering railroad bridge over the Manistee River north of Baldwin, MI, went into service.

1901 – Vice President Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech at the Minnesota State Fair that included his famous phrase, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”

1902 – Detroit recorded its first automobile-related traffic fatality when a passing automobile frightened the horse pulling George Bissell’s carriage. Bissell was thrown from the carriage and fatally injured.

1944 – Navy pilot George H.W. Bush was shot down while attacking a Japanese-held island in the Pacific. The future president was rescued from the ocean by the submarine USS Finback.

1945 – Japan formally surrendered aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, officially ending World War II.

1963CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite expanded from 15 to 30 minutes, becoming the first half-hour weeknight network television newscast in the United States.

1969 – The first automated teller machine in the United States opened for business at a Chemical Bank branch in Rockville Centre, NY.

1970 – NASA canceled two planned Moon missions, the original Apollo 15 and Apollo 19, because of budget constraints. The remaining missions were renumbered, allowing a different mission to later fly as Apollo 15.

1973 – The Detroit Tigers fired manager Billy Martin, days after he ordered his pitchers to throw spitballs during a game against the Cleveland Indians.

1995 – The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum officially opened to the public in Cleveland, OH.

1998 – A survey of American teenagers found that more could name the Three Stooges than could name the three branches of the U.S. government.

2001 – Adult Swim, Cartoon Network’s late-night programming block aimed at adult audiences, made its debut.

2008 – Google launched its Chrome web browser, which would eventually become the world’s most widely used web browser.

 

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON SEPTEMBER 2:

Peter Ueberroth – 89 years old (1937) – Businessman

Jimmy Clanton – 88 years old (1938) – Pop singer-songwriter

Rosalind Ashford – 83 years old (1943) – Singer

Walt Simonson – 80 years old (1946) – Author and illustrator

Nate Archibald – 78 years old (1948) – Basketball player and coach

Terry Bradshaw – 78 years old (1948) – Football player, sportscaster, and actor

Hans-Hermann Hoppe – 77 years old (1949) – Economist and philosopher

Rosanna DeSoto – 76 years old (1950) – Actress

Jim DeMint – 75 years old (1951) – Politician

Mark Harmon – 75 years old (1951) – Actor and producer

Jimmy Connors – 74 years old (1952) – Tennis player, coach, and sportscaster

John Zorn – 73 years old (1953) – Saxophonist, composer, and producer

Linda Purl – 71 years old (1955) – Actress

Tony Alva – 69 years old (1957) – Skateboarder and bass player

Steve Porcaro – 69 years old (1957) – Keyboard player and songwriter

Eric Dickerson – 66 years old (1960) – Football player and sportscaster

Rex Hudler – 66 years old (1960) – Baseball player and sportscaster

Ron Wasserman – 65 years old (1961) – Singer-songwriter and producer

Sam Mitchell – 63 years old (1963) – Basketball player and coach

Dino Cazares – 60 years old (1966) – Guitarist, songwriter, and producer

Salma Hayek – 60 years old (1966) – Mexican-American actress, director, and producer

Tuc Watkins – 60 years old (1966) – Actor

Frank Fontsere – 59 years old (1967) – Drummer and songwriter

Cynthia Watros – 58 years old (1968) – Actress

Francisco Acevedo – 58 years old (1968) – Serial killer

K-Ci – 57 years old (1969) – R&B singer-songwriter

Tommy Maddox – 55 years old (1971) – Football player and coach

Katt Williams – 55 years old (1971) – Comedian and actor

Jason Blake – 53 years old (1973) – Ice hockey player

MC Chris – 51 years old (1975) – Rapper, actor, and screenwriter

Syleena Johnson – 50 years old (1976) – R&B and soul singer-songwriter and actress

Tiffany Hines – 49 years old (1977) – Actress

Jonathan Kite – 47 years old (1979) – Actor and comedian

Brian Westbrook – 47 years old (1979) – Football player

Jennifer Hopkins – 45 years old (1981) – Tennis player

Jason Hammel – 44 years old (1982) – Baseball player

Allison Miller – 41 years old (1985) – Actress

Kyle Hines – 40 years old (1986) – Basketball player

Spencer Smith – 39 years old (1987) – Musician

Marcus Morris – 37 years old (1989) – Basketball player

Markieff Morris – 37 years old (1989) – Basketball player

Shayla Worley – 36 years old (1990) – Gymnast

Gyasi Zardes – 35 years old (1991) – Footballer

Austin Abrams – 30 years old (1996) – Actor

645AR – 29 years old (1997) – Rapper

Brandon Ingram – 29 years old (1997) – Basketball player

 

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR SEPTEMBER 2:

  • World Coconut Day: Discover the tropical taste and versatility of this round, hairy fruit with a hard shell. From coconut water to oil, there's so much to love!
  • Indigenous Literacy Day: Indigenous Literacy Day is a vibrant celebration that honors the rich stories, cultures, and languages of First Nations peoples. It raises awareness about the literacy challenges faced by remote Indigenous communities. Many children in these areas lack access to quality books and learning resources. By spotlighting these issues, the day...
  • Global Talent Acquisition Day: If people keep the world moving, talent acquisition and HR people make sure the world runs as well as possible. Thank them with the hashtag #GlobalTADay.
  • National Blueberry Popsicle Day: Enjoy a refreshing frozen treat bursting with antioxidant-rich goodness. Blueberry popsicles are a delicious and healthy way to cool down anytime.
  • National Live Fearless Day: National Live Fearless Day is all about pushing past fear and stepping into a bolder version of yourself. It’s a reminder that everyone faces doubts, but those doubts don’t have to take the lead. This day encourages people to face what scares them—big or small—and move through it anyway. Whether it's...
  • National Spalding Baseball Day: Thrilling diamond clashes, players' balletic prowess unite in a symphony of pitches, catches — a baseball spectacle weaving excitement.
  • Pierce Your Ears Day: Pierce Your Ears Day is a fun and engaging celebration. It highlights the tradition of ear piercing and encourages people to enjoy this form of self-expression. Whether getting their first piercing or adding another to their collection, many use this day to embrace a stylish change. This day also helps...
  • Calendar Adjustment Day: Pick up a new calendar, update your current calendar, or coordinate your calendar with friends and family to keep your schedule running smoothly and consistently.
  • Bison-ten Yell Day: Have you ever heard of Bison-ten Yell Day? This whimsical holiday is celebrated for its clever wordplay. It is perfect for those who enjoy clever wordplay and a good laugh. The name itself is a playful twist on "bicentennial," which makes the day fun right from the start. Celebrated with joyful...
  • National V-J Day: Pay tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in WW2 on V-J Day and have food and drink with loved ones to remember the end of this terrible conflict.
  • Crayfish Party: Crayfish Party is a lively and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family. This event marks the end of summer, bringing people together for a joyful feast. Tables are often set with bright decorations, and the air is filled with laughter. The menu features cooked and seasoned crayfish. The atmosphere...
  • Rtveli: Rtveli is a vibrant grape harvest festival celebrated across Georgia. It is a joyful blend of hard work and celebration. It's a time when people unite to collect the fruits of their labor and honor the cultural heritage of winemaking that has been cherished for generations. The festival extends beyond...
  • National Childhood Injury Prevention Week: Kids run, jump, explore, and push limits every day. That curiosity brings joy, but also risk. National Childhood Injury Prevention Week speaks to that very balance. It’s a reminder that while we can’t stop every scraped knee, we can prevent many serious injuries. It’s about everyday choices—like buckling a car seat...
  • Navasard: Navasard is the ancient Armenian New Year, a celebration that once united communities in festivities and tribute to their gods. Marking the start of a new cycle, it was a time when people believed divine forces came down to the Earth. With music, dance, and communal feasts, it reflected a...

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For additional information check out websites like: www.on-this-day.com, www.born-today.com, www.famousbirthdays.com, www.daysoftheyear.com, and www.nationaldaycalendar.com.

I’ve always been the kind of person who notices the things other people overlook — strange roadside attractions, forgotten pieces of history, unusual places, odd trends, and the little things in everyday life that make you stop and say, “Wait... when did that become normal?” That curiosity is really what this blog is all about. I’m especially drawn to the stories hiding in plain sight: a forgotten piece of Michigan history, a roadside attraction you’d never know was there, an old building with a story behind it, or some completely ordinary part of modern life that suddenly seems ridiculous when you think about it for more than five seconds. Some days you’ll find a fascinating history story here. Other days I may take you along on a road trip, dig into something weird from Michigan’s past, share an interesting discovery, or simply rant about something in modern life that makes absolutely no sense. I don’t pretend to have all the answers. I just enjoy asking the questions, digging around for the stories, and sharing the interesting things I find along the way. My goal is simple: Keep looking. Keep learning. And keep things interesting.

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