On this day in history - April 2

What Happened On This Day – April 2

• 2002 Israeli forces besiege the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

  The Israel Defense Force had occupied Bethlehem to capture wanted Palestinians. The 39-day siege ensued after some militants fled into the church, which is believed to stand on the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth.

• 1982 Argentina occupies the Falkland Islands

  The invasion escalated a long-standing conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the archipelago in the South Atlantic. It triggered the Falklands War, which was won by the U.K.

• 1968 Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Oddyssey receives its world premiere

  Upon release, the epic about human evolution, technology, and extraterrestrial life polarized audiences and critics alike. Today, it is considered a classic in its genre.

• 1800 Ludwig van Beethoven's First Symphony is premiered

  The German composer conducted the orchestra himself. The premiere received exceptionally positive reviews.

• 1792 The U.S. dollar is introduced

  The Mint Act of 1792 established the Dollar as U.S. currency. About two-thirds of global trade today is based on the U.S. Dollar.