2 April It Happened Today

1805  Birth of Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen.

1914  Birth of British actor, Sir Alec Guinness.

1938  The Spanish Civil War ends.

1939  Birth of American soul singer Marvin Gaye.

1974  Death of French President Georges Pompidou.

1977  Racehorse Red Rum becomes the first horse to win the Aintree Grand National three times.

2005  Death of Pope John Paul II.