It happened on a… February 2

Scotty Bowman becomes first coach in NHL history to win 1,000 games.

Václav Havel becomes the first president of an independent Czech Republic, after the split with Slovakia.

South African President F.W. de Klerk lifted a ban on the African National Congress and promised to free Nelson Mandela.

Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious died of a heroin overdose in New York City.

Maple Leafs' Ian Turnbull scores 5 goals in a game against Detroit Red Wings, setting a record for an NHL defenceman.

Playmobil toys debut at the Nuremberg Toy Fair, designed by Hans Beck and produced by the Brandstätter Group

Barbra Streisand's 1st #1 hit, “The Way We Were”.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon flies for the first time.

GI Joe, debuts as a popular American boy's toy.

Hubert de Givenchy presents his first collection in Paris.

Frank Sinatra's singing debut in Indianapolis (Tommy Dorsey Orchestra).

2 days after becoming chancellor, Adolf Hitler dissolves the German Reichstag (Parliament).

NYC's Grand Central Terminal opens.

Queen Victoria's funeral takes place in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, England.

The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs (known as the National League) was formed in New York. The teams included were the Chicago White Stockings, Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Stockings, Hartford Dark Blues, Mutual of New York, St. Louis Brown Stockings, Cincinnati Red Stockings and the Louisville Grays.