Feb. 1, 1790

In the Royal Exchange Building on New York City's Broad Street, the Supreme Court of the United States meets for the first time, with Chief Justice John Jay of New York presiding.

Source: www.historychannel.com

Feb. 3, 1959

Rock stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson are killed when their chartered Beechcraft Bonanza plane crashes in Iowa a few minutes after takeoff on a flight from Mason City to Moorehead, Minn.

Source: www.historychannel.com

Feb. 5, 1849

The University of Wisconsin begins with 20 students led by Professor John W. Sterling. The university was housed at the Madison Female Academy building, which was provided to the fledgling university free of charge by the city. Tuition was "twenty dollars per scholar, per annum."

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

Feb. 7, 1964

Pan Am Yankee Clipper flight 101 from London Heathrow lands at New York's Kennedy Airport, and "Beatlemania" arrives with the first visit to the United States by the Beatles.

Source: www.historychannel.com

Feb. 13, 1935

In an effort to stop gasoline price wars, the state of Wisconsin establishes a minimum price of 16 cents per gallon for gasoline.

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

Feb. 20, 1887

The Federated Trades Council is founded in Milwaukee for the purpose of organizing the craft unions in the city. The group was founded by Frank J. Weber, Wisconsin labor leader and champion of union causes.

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

Feb. 22, 1732

George Washington, the first president of the United States, is born in Westmoreland County, Va.

Feb. 24, 1894

The cornerstone of Milwaukee's City Hall is laid. The city chose the plans of architect Henry C. Koch and Co. and the contracting firm of Paul Reisen to complete the project. The cost of the building totaled $945,311.

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

Feb. 26, 1904

Fire destroys the third state Capitol building. The fire was completely extinguished by 10 p.m. the next day. Losses were estimated to be close to $1 million.

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

Feb. 26, 1919

Congress passes the Act to Establish the Grand Canyon National Park in the State of Arizona. Covering more than 1 million acres of northwestern Arizona, the park includes the most spectacular area of the 277-mile canyon cut by the Colorado River.

Source: Library of Congress