February 2nd

Supporters of President Hosni Mubarak charged into Cairo's central square on horses and camels brandishing whips while others rained firebombs from rooftops in what appeared to be an orchestrated assault against protesters trying to topple Egypt's leader of 30 years.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was sworn in as U.S. secretary of state.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and former supermodel Carla Bruni were married at the presidential Elysee Palace.

The world's leading climate scientists said global warming has begun, is "very likely" caused by humans and will be unstoppable for centuries.

Czech Republic President Vaclav Havel stepped down after 13 years.

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

The Abscam scandal was revealed.

Punk rock musician Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols died of a drug overdose at age 21.

Idi Amin ousts Milton Obote and appoints himself President (dictator) of Uganda.

German 6th Army surrenders after Battle of Stalingrad in a major turning point in Europe during World War II.

20 mushers embark on a journey to transport medicine to Nome, Alaska, inspiring the Iditarod Race. The Iditarod is the world's longest and most challenging dog sled race.

The James Joyce novel "Ulysses" was published in Paris on the author's 40th birthday.

Queen Victoria's funeral takes place in St. George's Chapel.

The first gathering at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsatawney, Pa. to wait for the groundhog's shadow occurred.

The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs was formed in New York.

The Cardiff Giant was revealed to be a hoax.

The first public flushing toilet is opened in London. Using the “Public Waiting Room” at 95 Fleet Street cost 2 pence.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican War, was signed. In the treaty, Mexico ceded to the United States a huge portion of what is today the American West and Southwest, including California and New Mexico.

Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk, the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, was rescued after four years alone on an island off the coast of Chile.

New Amsterdam - now New York City - was incorporated.

The city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Mendoza.