1698 – Thomas Savery patented the 1st steam engine on the 2nd July 1698.

1777 – Vermont became the 1st American territory to abolish slavery on the 2nd July 1777.

1849 – Maria Theresa of Austria-Este was born on the 2nd July 1849 (died 1919).

1896 – Lydia Mei the Estonian painter was born on the 2nd July 1896 (died 1965).

1897 – Italian scientist Guglielmo Marconi obtained a patent for radio on the 2nd July 1897, in London .

1900 – The 1st Zeppelin flight took place on the 2nd July 1900, on Lake Constance near Friedrichshafen, Germany.

1918 – Wim Boost the Dutch cartoonist was born on the 2nd July 1918 (died 2005).

1937 – Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan were last heard from over the Pacific Ocean on the 2nd July 1937, while attempting to make the 1st equatorial round-the-world flight.

1952 – Johnny Colla the American guitarist from Huey Lewis and the News was born on the 2nd July 152.

1953 – Mark Hart the American guitarist and keyboard player from Crowded House and Supertramp was born on the 2nd July 1953.

1954 – Pete Briquette the Irish bass player from The Boomtown Rats was born on the 2nd July 1954.

1962 – The 1st Wal-Mart store opened for business on the 2nd July 1962, in Rogers, Arkansas.

1974 ~ Matthew John Reilly the Australian action thriller writer born on the 2nd July 1974. Official website: MatthewReilly.com | Facebook.com/OfficialMatthewReilly

1974 – Rocky Gray the American drummer and guitarist from Evanescence was born on the 2nd July 1974.

1976 – Mihkel Tüür the Estonian architect was born on the 2nd July 1976.

1986 – Lindsay Lohan the American actress and singer was born on the 2nd July 1986.

1990 – Margot Robbie the Australian actress was born on the 2nd July 1990.

2002 – Steve Fossett became the 1st person to fly solo around the world nonstop in a balloon on the 2nd July 2002.

Today in History for July 2nd ~ video presented by the Associated Press…