History Today: When Pope John Paul II, one of the most loved pontiffs, passed away

April 2 is remembered as a day when several important events took place across the world. It was on this day in 2005 that one of the most beloved pontiffs, Pope John Paul II passed away at the age of 84. His death marked the end of a 26-year papacy, the second-longest in history, during which he played a pivotal role in shaping the Catholic Church and global affairs.

If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers’ ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.

In 1792, the dollar was officially introduced as the economic currency of the United States with the passing of the Coinage Act of 1792 on this day. It was on this day in 1982 that Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands.

Here is all that happened on April 2 across the world.

Pope John Paul II dies at 84

One of the most loved pontiffs of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II passed away on April 2, 2005. He was so popular among the people that six days later on his funeral two million people flocked the Vatican City to pay their respects making it one of the biggest in the Church’s history.

Born as Karol Jozef Wojtyla in Poland in 1920, he ascended to the papacy in 1978. He took the name John Paul II, thereby becoming the first non-Italian pope in more than 450 years. His tenure as pontiff was distinguished by his robust moral leadership, his unwavering advocacy for human rights and his endeavours to cultivate bridges between diverse religious traditions. Notably, he played a crucial role in opposing communism, particularly within his native Poland, where his support for the Solidarity movement contributed significantly to the demise of the Soviet-supported regime.

During his later years, Pope John Paul II developed Parkinson’s disease among other health issues. He passed away due to septic shock and multiple organ failure on April 2. His funeral, held six days later on April 8 was attended by over four million people and broadcast globally. His reported final words, spoken in Polish, were, “Let me go to the house of the Father."

Pope John Paul II was canonised as a saint in 2014 by Pope Francis, solidifying his lasting influence on the Catholic Church and the world. His legacy continues to inspire millions through his teachings on faith, peace and human dignity.

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Saint Pope John Paul II - a hasty halo?

Introduction of US dollar

One of the biggest events of the 18th century was the introduction of the US dollar. It was on April 2, 1792, that the US dollar was officially introduced after the passing of the Coinage Act of 1792.

Before that the newly independent colonies in the United States relied on multiple foreign currencies like the Spanish dollar, British pounds and Dutch guilders. Following the American Revolution, the need for a unified currency became evident as economic instability and reliance on multiple currencies created confusion.

It was under the leadership of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, that a standardised currency was proposed. This was followed by the Coinage Act of 1792 which led to the creation of the United States Mint and implementation of the Introduction of the US dollar as the official currency.

Notably, the first official US coins were minted in 1794 and paper currency followed later in the 19th century. The California Gold Rush (1848–1855) played a key role in the US dollar’s rise to prominence by the mid-1800s, as it significantly increased gold reserves. During the Civil War (1861–1865), the government subsequently introduced “greenbacks” to fund the conflict.

Today, the US dollar is the world’s primary reserve currency, widely used in international trade and finance, symbolising economic strength and stability.

Argentinian troops seized Falkland Islands

On April 2, 1982, Argentine troops launched an invasion of the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. This marked the beginning of the Falklands War, a conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom that lasted for 74 days.

Argentina had long claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina), arguing that they were rightfully part of its territory. However, Britain had controlled the islands since 1833, maintaining a permanent settlement and governance. The Argentine military government, led by General Leopoldo Galtieri, decided to seize the islands in an effort to rally nationalist sentiment and divert attention from domestic economic struggles.

So, on the morning of April 2, 1982, Argentine forces landed on the islands and quickly overwhelmed the small British Royal Marines garrison. Within hours, Governor Rex Hunt surrendered and Argentina established control over the territory. The move was celebrated in Argentina, but it sparked outrage in the United Kingdom, where Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher vowed to reclaim the islands.

In response, Britain assembled a naval task force and launched a military campaign to retake the Falklands. After weeks of intense naval and land battles, British forces successfully recaptured the islands on June 14, 1982, forcing the Argentine troops to surrender. The war resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British troops and three islanders, stated news reports.

This Day, That Year

• On this day in 1992, American organised-crime boss John Gotti was sentenced to life in prison.

• Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey made its world premiere in Washington, DC in 1968.

• In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León landed on the coast of Florida.