What Happened on February 2 in History?
February 2 is widely recognized as Groundhog Day, but it also marks several monumental shifts in world borders, the end of one of history's bloodiest battles, and the birth of literary icons.
Major Historical Events
1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, officially ending the Mexican-American War. Mexico ceded 55% of its territory to the U.S., including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.
1943: The Battle of Stalingrad concluded with the surrender of the German Sixth Army to Soviet forces. This is considered one of the most significant turning points of World War II.
1653: New Amsterdam (now New York City) was officially incorporated as a city.
1990: Apartheid Ban Lifted – South African President F.W. de Klerk unbanned the African National Congress (ANC) and promised to release Nelson Mandela.
1913: Grand Central Terminal in New York City opened its doors to the public for the first time.
1971: Idi Amin Seizes Power – Major General Idi Amin declared himself President of Uganda following a military coup.
Culture & Science
1887: First Official Groundhog Day was celebrated at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
1922: Ulysses Published – James Joyce’s landmark modernist novel was first published in its entirety on his 40th birthday.
1925: The Great Race of Mercy – Dog mushers and their teams completed a 674-mile relay to deliver life-saving diphtheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska.
1982: Late Night with David Letterman debuted on NBC.
Famous Births & Deaths
Born:
James Joyce (1882): Influential Irish novelist.
Ayn Rand (1905): Russian-American novelist and philosopher.
Farrah Fawcett (1947): Iconic American actress.
Shakira (1977): Global Colombian singer and performer.
Died:
Bertrand Russell (1970): Renowned philosopher and mathematician.
Sid Vicious (1979): Sex Pistols bassist, of a drug overdose.
Chris Kyle (2013): "American Sniper" author, fatally shot in Texas.
Philip Seymour Hoffman (2014): Academy Award-winning actor.
