1847 – John C. Fremont is appointed Governor of the new California Territory.
1920 – Prohibition began as the 18th Amendment to the Constitution took effect.
1991 – The White House announced the start of Operation Desert Storm to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.
2003 – The space shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven blasted off from Cape Canaveral. The shuttle broke up during its return descent on Feb. 1, killing everyone on board.
2007 – Sen. Barack Obama launched his successful bid for the White House.
