It happened on a… February 2

2020

1997

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

1993

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

1990

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

1979

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

1977

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

1974

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.

1964

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

1952

Hubert de Givenchy presents his first collection in Paris.

1940

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

1933

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

1913

NYC’s Grand Central Terminal opens.

1901

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

1876

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.