1913 Grand Central Terminal Opens in NYC

Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal opened at midnight Feb. 2, 1913. New York City's Midtown experienced a boom in development in the decades after the terminal's debut.  New office buildings, hotels and apartments sprang up across the surrounding area.

Grand Central Terminal opened in New York City Feb. 2, 1913. (AP Photo)

The planning stage for Grand Central Terminal began as railways transitioned from steam-powered trains to electric rails.  The rail yards no longer needed to be open, and moving the tracks underground would free up prime real estate for development above ground.   Construction on the terminal took 10 years to complete.

Also on This Day in History:

1980 FBI ABSCAM Probe

The FBI's Operation ABSCAM was a two-year undercover investigation into political corruption.  Thirty-one government officials - including a senator, congressmen and state officials -  were accused of taking payoffs in exchange for wielding influence.

1990 South African President Promises to Free Nelson Mandela

F.W. de Klerk outlined a reconstructed government in South Africa, declared the African National Congress to be legal and promised to free Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was released from prison Feb. 11, 1990.

Famous Birthdays

1947 Farrah Fawcett

1948 Ina Garten

1954 Christie Brinkley

1962 Michael Terry Weiss

1970 Jennifer Westfeldt

1973 Marissa Jaret Winokur

1977 Shakira

1978  Rich Sommer

View more videos from This Month in History: February.