It happened on… July 2 — Saviez-vous Que? — Tous les jours, découvrez de nouvelles infos pour briller en société !

2014

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is accused of corruption by French prosecutors.

Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other FARC hostages are freed by the Colombian armed forces.

Steve Fossett becomes the first man to fly around the world in a hot-air balloon without stopping.

The book Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second novel in the series to be published.

Automaker General Motors announces that it will install an electronic GPS navigation system in its luxury vehicles.

North Vietnam and South Vietnam are reunified. The two countries will henceforth form the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Sam Walton opens his first Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas.

The first Walmart store opens in Rogers, Arkansas.

Elvis Presley records the songs “Hound Dog” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”

B.J. Lane invents the first gas mask.

Thomas Savery invents the steam engine.

It happened on… July 2