1. On December 2, 1857, Arthur B. Jones from Chicago received a patent for his invention of the self-raking reaper, which greatly improved the harvesting process for farmers. This invention revolutionized the agriculture industry and helped to make Illinois one of the leading crop-producing states in the country.

2. In 1942, December 2 marked the launch of the world's first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction at the University of Chicago's Stagg Field. This experiment paved the way for the development of nuclear power and the atomic bomb.

3. On December 2, 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established by President Richard Nixon. The EPA's mission is to protect human health and the environment, and it has played a crucial role in regulating pollution and enforcing environmental laws in Illinois and across the country.

4. The city of Springfield, Illinois, was founded on December 2, 1821. It became the state capital in 1837 and is best known as the home of President Abraham Lincoln. Visitors to Springfield can explore Lincoln's home, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site.

5. December 2, 1984 saw the release of the hit holiday movie "A Christmas Story" which was set in Indiana but filmed partly in Cleveland and Toronto, but its nostalgic portrayal of a Midwest family's Christmas in the 1940s resonated with audiences across Illinois and the rest of the country. Today, the movie is a beloved classic that is often shown on television during the holiday season.