1. Groundhog Day: February 2 is famous for Groundhog Day, a holiday that originated in Pennsylvania but is celebrated throughout the United States, including New York. On this day, people eagerly await the emergence of Punxsutawney Phil (or other groundhogs) to determine if spring will come early or if winter will last longer.

2. The Treaty of Fort Stanwix: On February 2, 1768, representatives of the British Crown and the Iroquois Confederacy signed the Treaty of Fort Stanwix in present-day Oneida County. The treaty established a boundary between Native American lands and British colonies and attempted to regulate trade and relations between settlers and Native Americans.

3. The New York City Transit Strike: On February 2, 1966, New York City experienced a massive transit strike. More than 35,000 transit workers walked off the job, causing chaos in the city's transportation system. The strike lasted for twelve days, and it took several more years to fully resolve the underlying issues.

4. The Birth of James Weldon Johnson: Celebrated African American author, educator, and civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson was born on February 2, 1871, in Jacksonville, Florida. Johnson spent much of his life in New York City, where he became the first African American to hold a diplomatic post in the United States government.

5. The Death of Sid Vicious: Sid Vicious, bassist for the legendary punk band the Sex Pistols, died on February 2, 1979, in New York City. Vicious was only 21 years old at the time of his death, which was caused by a heroin overdose. His brief and turbulent life has become a legendary example of the excesses of the punk rock movement.