1. The first barbed wire fence patent was issued in Illinois on May 2, 1873. Invented by Joseph F. Glidden of DeKalb, Illinois, the barbed wire fence revolutionized agriculture and ranching by providing a cheap and effective way to enclose land and keep livestock in.

2. On May 2, 1866, the deadliest train accident in U.S. history at the time occurred in Illinois. The crash occurred in the small town of Chatsworth when a fast-moving train collided with a slower train, killing over 80 people and injuring hundreds more. The disaster led to new safety regulations for the railroad industry.

3. The first successful transplant of a human heart took place in Illinois on May 2, 1968. Dr. Norman Shumway and his team at the Stanford University School of Medicine flew to Illinois to perform the surgery on a 54-year-old man at the University of Chicago Medical Center. The patient survived for 18 days after the surgery, paving the way for further advancements in heart transplant technology.

4. On May 2, 1833, the town of Chicago was incorporated as a city. With a population of just over 3,000 at the time, Chicago was a rapidly growing commercial and transportation hub thanks to its strategic location on Lake Michigan. Today, Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States and a major center for finance, culture, and tourism.

5. The Chicago Cubs played their first home game at Wrigley Field on May 2, 1916. Originally called Weeghman Park, the stadium was renamed Wrigley Field in 1927 and has been the home of the Cubs ever since. With its ivy-covered walls and classic architecture, Wrigley Field is one of the most iconic ballparks in all of sports.