1. Pennsylvania became the 2nd state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 2, 1787. Pennsylvania's ratification was crucial as it helped to solidify the new government of the United States.
2. On December 2, 1859, abolitionist John Brown was hanged in Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia) for his failed attempt to start a slave rebellion by raiding the federal armory at Harpers Ferry. Brown's actions fueled tensions between North and South leading up to the Civil War.
3. Pennsylvania State University was founded on December 2, 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania. It later became the Pennsylvania State College and then Penn State University in 1953.
4. The Great Fire of Pittsburgh began on December 2, 1845 and destroyed over 1,000 buildings in the city's downtown area. Despite the massive damage, only two lives were lost and the city was able to rebuild and grow into the thriving urban center it is today.
5. Baseball legend Honus Wagner, considered by many to be one of the greatest shortstops of all time, was born in Carnegie, Pennsylvania on December 2, 1874. Wagner played for the Pittsburgh Pirates for 18 seasons and was one of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.