■ On Feb. 10, 1940, MGM released the animated short “Puss Gets the Boot,” the debut of Tom and Jerry (although in this cartoon, the cat is called “Jasper” by its owner while the mouse was dubbed “Jinx” by creators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera). ■ In 1763, Britain, Spain and France signed the Treaty of Paris, ending the Seven Years’ War (also known as the French and Indian War in North America). ■ In 1840, Britain’s Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. read more