April 2

This Day in History

Also on This Day

Lead Story
Pope John Paul II Dies, 2005
American Revolution
Ebenezer Learned is promoted to brigadier general, 1777
Automotive
Walter Chrysler born, 1875
Civil War
Richmond riots over food shortages, 1863
Union forces capture Petersburg line, 1865
Cold War
Gorbachev begins visit to Cuba, 1989
Crime
Mob boss John Gotti convicted of murder, 1992
Disaster
Anthrax poisoning kills 62 in Russia, 1979
General Interest
Ponce de Leon discovers Florida, 1513
Jeannette Rankin assumes office, 1917
Argentina invades Falklands, 1982
Hollywood
Charlie Chaplin prepares for return to United States after two decades, 1972
Literary
Hans Christian Andersen is born, 1805
Music
The Sting sweeps the Oscars and ragtime composer Scott Joplin gets his due, 1974
Old West
First woman judge dies in Wyoming, 1902
Presidential
Wilson asks for declaration of war, 1917
Sports
Red Rum wins record third Grand National, 1977
Vietnam War
North Vietnamese troops capture part of Quang Tri, 1972
South Vietnamese evacuation begins at Qui Nhon., 1975
World War I
Woodrow Wilson asks U.S. Congress for declaration of war, 1917
World War II
"The Desert Fox" recaptures Libya, 1941

Civil War

Apr 2, 1863:

Richmond riots over food shortages

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Responding to acute food shortages, hundreds of angry women riot in Richmond, Virginia, demanding that the government release emergency supplies. For several hours, the mob moved through the city, breaking windows and looting stores, before Confederate President Jefferson Davis threw his pocket change at them from the top of a wagon. Davis ordered the crowd to disperse or he would order the militia to fire upon them. The riot ended peacefully, although 44 women and 29 men were arrested.

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This Week in History, Apr 2 - Apr 8

Apr 02, 1863
Richmond riots over food shortages
Apr 02, 1865
Union forces capture Petersburg line
Apr 03, 1865
Confederate capital of Richmond is captured
Apr 04, 1865
President Lincoln tours Richmond
Apr 05, 1862
Siege of Yorktown begins
Apr 06, 1862
Battle of Shiloh begins
Apr 07, 1862
Battle of Shiloh concludes
Apr 08, 1864
Confederates rout Union at Battle of Mansfield

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