February 3, 1986
NASA officially grounded the space shuttle program.
Space exploration came to a halt following the explosion of space shuttle Challenger a few days earlier.
NASA had planned a record 15 flights in 1986 for its four shuttles.
Another orbiter wouldn't liftoff until Discovery blasted off in September 1988.
February 4, 1989
Scientists from the British Meteorological Office announce that the year before, 1988, was the hottest year on record worldwide.
The cause of the hot spell in 1988 was a super-strong El Niño.
Here in Central Florida, it was hot enough to fry an egg right on the street.
Just a note: The year 2001 ranks as the second warmest.
February 5, 1989
Orlando took its place among the best in the nation.
Newsweek Magazine proclaimed the City Beautiful as one of America's top cities.
The magazine praised Orlando's gleaming marble office towers and loved our quaint city streets.
Newsweek also paid tribute to the Florida Symphony Orchestra and the Orlando Museum of Art.
February 6, 1907
Thirty-one people from Maitland began their push to build a public library in the city.
The group organized the Maitland Library Association, and within a year the library had opened its doors.
It took $6,000 to build. More than 90 years later, the classic library still stands, with a few additions and renovations.
February 7, 1986
The Harris Corporation underwent a major downsizing in Brevard County.
Harris laid off nearly 150 employees at the company's Palm Bay and Malabar factories.
Harris management blamed the budget cuts by the Department of Defense. Others say the layoffs were the result of the loss of bids for two major defense contracts, which cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars.
February 8, 1861
Polk County was established.
The move happened just days after Florida seceded from the Union.
The county was named for President James K. Polk, the first president to hold office after Florida became a state.
Thirty years later, Polk County became a nationwide leader in the production of citrus products.
February 9, 1998
Amtrak leaders got onboard for a rail expansion to Orlando.
The line would provide passengers with a leisurely trip to the City Beautiful, including amenities like a tiki bar and a video arcade for kids.
It was hoped the extension would help with the company's money trouble, but it wasn't meant to be.
After riding the rails for less than a year, the runs came to an end.