On May 2, 2011, U.S. Navy SEALs conducted a raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, leading to the death of Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda and mastermind behind the September 11 attacks.

On May 2, 1982, the United Kingdom's Prince Andrew, Duke of York, served as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War, becoming one of the few royals to see active combat.

On May 2, 1969, the first successful human organ transplant from a living donor was performed in the United States, when Dr. Thomas Starzl transplanted a portion of a liver from one twin to another.