1. Birth of Josiah Willard Gibbs: On October 2, 1839, Josiah Willard Gibbs- an American mathematical physicist- was born in New Haven, Connecticut. Gibbs made significant contributions to thermodynamics, chemical thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics, which earned him the title of 'father of thermodynamics' by his contemporaries.

2. The First Televised Presidential Debate: On October 2, 1960, the first televised presidential debate was held between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in Hartford, Connecticut's TV studio. This debate marked the beginning of a new era in the way presidential campaigns were conducted and was watched by millions across the country.

3. Fire Destroys the Litchfield County Courthouse: On October 2, 1886, a fire destroyed the Litchfield County Courthouse, one of the oldest courthouses in Connecticut. While no one was injured in the fire, many historical records and documents dating back to the Revolutionary War period were destroyed.

4. Norwich Pharmacal Co. established: On October 2, 1866, the Norwich Pharmacal Co. was established in Norwich, Connecticut. The company, which was one of the leading producers of pharmaceuticals and chemicals in the 19th century, played a significant role in the development of the healthcare industry.

5. The Killingly-Plainfield tornado: On October 2, 1979, a tornado hit the towns of Killingly and Plainfield in Connecticut, killing three people and causing significant damage to the area. The tornado, which was part of a larger outbreak in the Midwest and Northeast, was one of the deadliest and most destructive tornadoes in Connecticut's history.