This Day in History - February 6

1778 - During the American Revolutionary War, the United States wins official recognition and military support from France with the signing of a Treaty of Alliance in Paris.
1895 - Babe Ruth, legendary star of the New York Yankees, is born in Baltimore.
1911 - Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, is born in Tampico, Ill.
1933 - The 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the so-called "lame duck" amendment, is proclaimed in effect by Secretary of State Henry Stimson.
1952 - Britain’s King George VI, 56, dies at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England; he is succeeded as monarch by his 25-year-old elder daughter, who would become Queen Elizabeth II.
1968 - The Winter Olympic Games are opened in Grenoble, France, by French President Charles de Gaulle.
1987 - Wall Street Journal reporter Gerald Seib is released after being detained six days by Iran, accused of being a spy for Israel; Iran says the detention was a result of misunderstandings.
1991 - Comedian and television performer Danny Thomas dies in Los Angeles at age 79.
1993 - Tennis Hall of Famer and human rights advocate Arthur Ashe dies in New York at age 49.
1998 - President Bill Clinton signs a bill changing the name of Washington National Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
2000 - Hillary Rodham Clinton launches her candidacy for the U.S. Senate.
2003 - ABC’s "20/20" airs a British documentary, "Living With Michael Jackson," in which the "King of Pop" reveals he sometimes let children sleep in his bed.
2005 - Super Bowl XXXIX: The New England Patriots beat Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.
2011 - Super Bowl XLV: The Green Bay Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
2008 - The Bush White House defends the use of the interrogation technique known as waterboarding, saying it is legal - not torture as critics argued - and has saved American lives.
2008 - The Phoenix Suns acquire Shaquille O’Neal in a stunning blockbuster deal that sent four-time All-Star Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Miami Heat.
2009 - Key senators and the White House reach a tentative agreement on an economic stimulus measure at the heart of President Barack Obama’s recovery plan.
2009 - Federal health officials say Peanut Corp. of America, a Georgia peanut processor, knowingly shipped salmonella-laced products as far back as 2007.
2014 - Jay Leno says goodbye to NBC’s "The Tonight Show" for the second time, making way for Jimmy Fallon to take over as host.