FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Today is Friday, February 3, the 34th day of 2012. There are 332 days left in the year.

1783 ― Spain recognizes U.S. independence

1815 ― World's first commercial cheese factory established, in Switzerland

1867 ― Prince Mutsuhito, 14, becomes Emperor Meiji of Japan (1867-1912)

1919 ― League of Nations first meeting (Paris)

1951 ― Tennessee Williams' ``Rose Tattoo" premieres in New York City

1962 ― President Kennedy bans all trade with Cuba except for food and drugs

1967 ― ``Purple Haze" recorded by Jimi Hendrix

1969 ― The Palestine National Congress appointed Yasser Arafat head of PLO

1994 ― President Bill Clinton lifts U.S. trade embargo against Vietnam

1998 ― Britain issues a set of Princess Diana stamps