On This Day: March 2nd

American Revolutionary War: Patriot militia units attempt to prevent capture of supply ships in and around the Savannah River by a small fleet of the Royal Navy in the Battle of the Rice Boats.

The Great Fire of Meireki begins in Edo (now Tokyo), Japan, causing more than 100,000 deaths before it exhausts itself three days later.

Vasco da Gama's fleet visits the Island of Mozambique.

The College of Arms is formally incorporated by Royal Charter signed by King Richard III of England.

Burgundian Wars: The Old Swiss Confederacy hands Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, a major defeat in the Battle of Grandson in Canton of Neuchâtel.

George of Poděbrady is chosen as the king of Bohemia.

Skanderbeg organizes a group of Albanian nobles to form the League of Lezhë.

Fall of Nicaea to the Ottoman Turks after a siege.

Louis V becomes the last Carolingian king of West Francia after the death of his father, Lothaire.

Siege of Rome: The Ostrogoth army under king Vitiges begins the siege of the capital. Belisarius conducts a delaying action outside the Flaminian Gate; he and a detachment of his bucellarii are almost cut off.