HomeToday in HistoryWhat Happened on December 2

What Happened on December 2

Enron Files for Bankruptcy
The Houston, Texas-based energy company filed for Chapter Eleven bankruptcy after reports of widespread accounting fraud became public. At that time, the company became the largest company in the history of the United States to declare bankruptcy.

Benazir Bhutto is sworn in as Prime Minister
Benazir Bhutto takes office as Pakistan’s Prime Minister, becoming the first woman PM of Pakistan.

First artificial heart transplant
Barney Clark became the first person to receive a permanent artificial heart. The surgery occurred at the University of Utah Medical Center. Clark lived for 112 days after the transplant.

LaGuardia Airport in New York City opens its doors
The airport was named after New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. American Airlines was the first carrier to regularly provide passenger service.

Napoleon is crowned Emperor of France
Napoleon Bonaparte had risen through the ranks of the French army during the French revolution and became one of the most influential political figures of his era. His self-coronation as Napoleon I took place in Notre Dame in Paris, France.

  • 1981 Britney Spears
    American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress
  • 1978 Nelly Furtado
    Canadian singer-songwriter, producer
  • 1923 Maria Callas
    Greek soprano
  • 1825 Pedro II of Brazil
  • 1760 John Breckinridge
    American politician, 5th United States Attorney General
  • 1993 Pablo Escobar
    Colombian drug lord
  • 1990 Aaron Copland
    American composer
  • 1985 Philip Larkin
    English poet
  • 1859 John Brown
    American activist
  • 1814 Marquis de Sade
    French author, politician

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