Wednesday, 2nd February 1972 in Paris
Welcome to your daily snapshot of Paris! It's World Wetlands Day and Groundhog Day. Explore 54 historical events, birthdays, deaths, and milestones that shaped this day in Paris. From remarkable moments in local and world history to the people who left their mark — find out what makes today special. Today's weather in Paris brings drizzly with temperatures between 3°C and 9°C. Tonight's moon is in its new moon phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Aquarius. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Wednesday, 2nd February in Paris, FR.
On 2 February 1972, Paris experienced drizzly conditions as the city settled into the new moon phase under the sign of Aquarius. Paris, the capital of France, remains one of Europe's most significant cultural and political centres, renowned for its architecture, museums and historical importance. The weather that day reflected the typical winter climate of northern France, with moisture and overcast skies characteristic of the season.
This date marked a significant moment in European history. On the same day in 1972, protestors burned the British Embassy in Ireland following the massacre of 14 civilians in Derry by British forces during the Troubles, an event that escalated tensions across the island. Four decades earlier, in 1942, the first act of the Norwegian resistance movement occurred when the Osvald Group bombed Oslo East Station to protest the inauguration of Vidkun Quisling, demonstrating the continent's ongoing struggle against occupation and authoritarian rule during the Second World War.
Throughout history, 2 February has witnessed numerous pivotal moments. Roger Federer, the Swiss tennis player, achieved the top-ranked men's singles position in 2004, a distinction he maintained for a record 237 consecutive weeks. These events, spanning from medieval times to the modern era, illustrate the varied significance this date holds across European history and beyond.
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What the Weather Had in Store for Paris on 2nd February 1972
Growth spirals upward, never climbing in a straight line.
Fortune of the Day
2nd February in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on February 2 are cerebral thinkers with unconventional minds who question societal norms and forge their own paths. Their intellectual curiosity and drive for progress propel them to understand and reshape the world.
Strengths & Weaknesses They excel in originality, logical reasoning, and social consciousness. Their weakness lies in emotional distance and a tendency toward detachment, which complicates interpersonal relationships.
Love These Aquarians need partners respecting their independence and offering intellectual stimulation. Emotional depth develops slowly, but deep mental connections are essential for fulfillment.
Caree & Finance Careers in tech, innovation, science, or social sectors appeal to them. Financial stability matters, though they're less materialistic than other signs.
Health Mental stimulation and social engagement benefit them greatly. Regular physical activity and breaks from overthinking support emotional wellbeing and physical health.
That night, the moon was in its new moon phase.
Chinese year of the Pig (Metal).
Fun Facts About 2nd February
Name Days in Your Language: Aleta, Aletha, Alethea, Alida, Alita, Lita
Someone born on this day in 1972 would be 54 years old today — just 19,787 days into life, which is roughly 474,905 hours, 28,494,346 minutes, or 1,709,660,767 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 33. day of the year.
As this is a leap year, there are 333 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 5 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 2nd February
- Todd Bertuzzi, Canadian ice hockey player (1975)
- Donald Driver, American football player (1975)
- Ieroklis Stoltidis, Greek footballer (1975)
- Andrei Luzgin, Estonian tennis player and coach (1973)
- Aleksander Tammert, Estonian discus thrower (1973)
- Marissa Jaret Winokur, American actress and singer (1973)
- Hisashi, Japanese musician (1972)
- Melvin Mora, Venezuelan baseball player (1972)
- Aleksey Naumov, Russian footballer (1972)
- Michelle Gayle, English singer-songwriter and actress (1971)
Lives Remembered on 2nd February
- Gustave Lanctot, Canadian historian and academic (born 1883) (1975)
- Imre Lakatos, Hungarian-English mathematician and philosopher (born 1922) (1974)
- Hendrik Elias, Belgian academic and politician, 9th Mayor of Ghent (born 1902) (1973)
- Natalie Clifford Barney, American author, poet, and playwright (born 1876) (1972)
- Lawrence Gray, American actor (born 1898) (1970)
- Bertrand Russell, English mathematician and philosopher, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1872) (1970)
- Hannah Ryggen, Norwegian textile artist (born 1894) (1970)
- Boris Karloff, English actor (born 1887) (1969)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 2nd February
- Groundhog Day
- Anniversary of Treaty of Tartu (Estonia)
- Christian Feast Day: Adalbard
- Christian Feast Day: Catherine de' Ricci
- Christian Feast Day: Jeanne de Lestonnac
- Christian Feast Day: Martyrs of Ebsdorf
- Christian Feast Day: Presentation of Jesus
- Christian Feast Day: February 2 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple or Candlemas (Western Christianity), and its related observances: A quarter day in the Christian liturgical calendar (due to Candlemas). (Scotland)
- Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple or Candlemas (Western Christianity), and its related observances: Celebration of Yemanja or Our Lady of Navigators (Candomblé)
- Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple or Candlemas (Western Christianity), and its related observances: Chandeleur (France)
- Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple or Candlemas (Western Christianity), and its related observances: Liichtmëssdag (Luxembourg)
- Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple or Candlemas (Western Christianity), and its related observances: Our Lady of the Candles (Filipino Catholics)
- Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple or Candlemas (Western Christianity), and its related observances: Virgin of Candelaria (Tenerife, Spain)
- Victory of the Battle of Stalingrad (Russia)
- World Wetlands Day
What Happened on 2nd February?
- Slovenian NBA player Luka Doncic is traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis in one of the largest trades in american sports history. (2025)
- The Burmese military establishes the State Administration Council, the military junta, after deposing the democratically elected government in the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. (2021)
- The ferry MV Rabaul Queen sinks off the coast of Papua New Guinea near the Finschhafen District, with an estimated 146–165 dead. (2012)
- Police officer Filippo Raciti is killed when a clash breaks out in the Sicily derby between Catania and Palermo, in the Serie A, the top flight of Italian football. This event led to major changes in stadium regulations in Italy. (2007)
- The Government of Canada introduces the Civil Marriage Act. This legislation would become law on July 20, 2005, legalizing same-sex marriage. (2005)
- Swiss tennis player Roger Federer becomes the No. 1 ranked men's singles player, a position he will hold for a record 237 weeks. (2004)
- First digital cinema projection in Europe (Paris) realized by Philippe Binant with the DLP CINEMA technology developed by Texas Instruments. (2000)
- Cebu Pacific Flight 387 crashes into Mount Sumagaya in the Philippines, killing all 104 people on board. (1998)
- Apartheid: F. W. de Klerk announces the unbanning of the African National Congress and promises to release Nelson Mandela. (1990)
- Soviet–Afghan War: The last Soviet armoured column leaves Kabul. (1989)