February 2 - Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day

But if there's more winter, I can keep wearing my hat!

This Day In History

1653

New Amsterdam (later renamed The City of New York) is incorporated.

1876

The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs is formed.

1887

In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania the first Groundhog Day is observed.

1913

Grand Central Terminal is opened in New York City.

1922

Ulysses by James Joyce is published.

1925

Dog sleds reach Nome, Alaska with diphtheria serum, inspiring the Iditarod race.

1974

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

2004

Swiss tennis player Roger Federer becomes the No. 1 ranked men's singles player, a position he will hold for a record 237 weeks.

Famous Birthdays

1650

Nell Gwynne, English actress and royal mistress (d. 1687)

1754

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, French diplomat and statesman (d. 1838)

1829

William Stanley, inventor and engineer (d. 1909)

1861

Solomon R. Guggenheim, American art collector and philanthropist (d. 1949)

1882

James Joyce, Irish author (d. 1941) 

1895

George Halas, American NFL co-founder (d. 1983)

1897

Howard Johnson, American hotelier (d. 1972)

1901

Jascha Heifetz, Lithuanian violinist (d. 1987)

1905

Ayn Rand, Russian-born American author and philosopher (d. 1982)

1925

Elaine Stritch, American actress

1948

Ina Garten, American author and TV personality

1949

Brent Spiner, American actor