The Declaration of Independence was ratified on July 4, 1776, but the great document was mainly signed by delegates on August 2, 1776.

Image via LOC, no known restrictions

A pitcher that was made in England showing the population of the United States in 1790.

On August 2, 1790 the first U.S. Census was conducted.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On August 2, 1813, Major George Croghan and 160 American regulars successfully hold Fort Stephenson on the Sandusky River in Ohio. They defended the fort against a force of more than 3,000 British and Native Americans by using a cannon named “Old Betsy.”

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Photograph from 1864 of Abraham Lincoln used for the Lincoln one-cent coin

On August 2, 1909 the Lincoln Penny was released by the United States Mint.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

https://heartfelthistory.com/abraham-lincoln/

On August 2, 1876 “Wild Bill” Hickok, while playing cards at Nuttal & Mann’s saloon in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, was shot and killed by Jack McCall.

Early on August 2, 1943 the US Navy’s PT 109, under the command of Lt. John F. Kennedy was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer. Kennedy was instrumental in assisting injured crew members. Through the efforts of two Solomon Islands coast watchers the survivors of PT 109 were rescued six days later.

Image by JFK Presidential Library and Museum via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.

On August 2, 1952, U.S. Navy boxer Ed Sanders defeated Ingemar Johansson to win the gold medal in Heavyweight boxing at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki.

He trained at the U.S. Navy facilities in Maryland just before going to the Olympics.

Image by JFK Presidential Library and Museum via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.

On August 2, 1882, Congress approved a pork barrel, Rivers and Harbors Bill to allocate spending of more than $19 million for public works projects.

The bill was vetoed by President Chester Arthur, but is sustained.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

August 2, 1923 – Vice President Calvin Coolidge becomes the 30th President upon the death of Warren G. Harding. Coolidge, a proponent of racial equality and assistance for immigrants is shown with Osage men on June 2, 1924 after signing the Indian Citizenship Act.

On August 2, 1927, Coolidge rejects the notion of running for a third term and announces “I do not choose to run…”

Image from LOC via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US

Clouds & Water, a painting by Arthur G. Dove who was born on August 2, 1880 in Canandaigua, New York.

Dove is considered to be America’s first abstract painter.

Image c. 1930 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

U.S. Mail airplane

August 2, 1922

Image via LOC, no known restrictions

Carroll O’Connor who played the role of Archie Bunker in the TV series All in the Family was born on August 2, 1924 in Manhattan, NY.

Image of All in the Family cast, 1975 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

American actress Myrna Loy was born on August 2, 1905 in Helena, Montana.

Image: Myrna Loy (left) at age 6, with her cousin on Loy’s grandmother’s porch in Helena, Montana via Wikimedia Commons, public domain