Highlight: In 1913, New York City’s rebuilt Grand Central Terminal officially opened to the public at one minute past midnight.
In 1536, present-day Buenos Aires, Argentina, was founded by Pedro de Mendoza of Spain.
In 1653, New Amsterdam — now New York City — was incorporated.
In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War, was signed.
In 1870, the “Cardiff Giant," supposedly the petrified remains of a human discovered in Cardiff, N.Y., was revealed to be nothing more than carved gypsum.
In 1882, Irish poet and novelist James Joyce was born near Dublin.
In 1887, Punxsutawney, Pa., held its first Groundhog Day festival.
In 1912, Frederick Law parachuted from the torch of the Statue of Liberty in a stunt filmed by Pathé News.
In 1922, the James Joyce novel “Ulysses" was published in Paris on Joyce’s 40th birthday.
In 1943, the remainder of Nazi forces from the Battle of Stalingrad surrendered in a major victory for the Soviets in World War II.
In 1961, hijackers of a Portuguese ocean liner, the Santa Maria, allowed the passengers and crew to disembark in Brazil, a week and a half after seizing the ship.
In 1971, Idi Amin, having seized power in Uganda, proclaimed himself president.
In 1988, in a speech the broadcast television networks declined to carry live, President Ronald Reagan pressed his case for aid to the Nicaraguan Contras.
Ten years ago: The search continued for pieces of the space shuttle Columbia, a day after the spacecraft disintegrated during re-entry over Texas, killing all seven astronauts.
Five years ago: A gunman killed five women at a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park, Ill., in an apparent botched robbery attempt (the case remains unsolved).
One year ago: Egyptian security forces clashed with stone-throwing protesters enraged by the failure of police to prevent a soccer riot that killed 74 people.
It’s Saturday, Feb. 2, the 33rd day of 2013. There are 332 days left in the year.
Awards — Kelsey Grammer hosts the 65th annual Directors Guild Awards, where Steven Spielberg, Kathryn Bigelow and Ben Affleck battle for the title of best film director.
Holiday — It’s Groundhog Day. Will the little rodent predict six more weeks of winter?
All-Star Saturday — The NBA begins its All-Star weekend in New York with a team competition consisting of 3-point shooting, a dunk contest and a skills challenge.
Russia — Public ceremonies will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad, a turning point in the war against Nazi Germany.
Actress Elaine Stritch is 88. Actor Robert Mandan is 81. Comedian Tom Smothers is 76. Rock singer-guitarist Graham Nash is 71. Actor Bo Hopkins is 71. Television executive Barry Diller is 71. TV chef Ina Garten is 65. Actor Jack McGee is 64. Actor Brent Spiner is 64. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is 61. Model Christie Brinkley is 59. Actor Michael Talbott is 58. Actress Kim Zimmer is 58. Actor Michael T. Weiss is 51. Actor-comedian Adam Ferrara is 47. Actress Jennifer Westfeldt is 43.
— From wire reports
