TODAY IN HISTORY
Today is Wednesday, Feb. 1, the 32nd day of 2023.
Today’s highlight in history
On Feb. 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia broke up during re-entry, killing all seven of its crew members.
On this date
In 1790, the U.S. Supreme Court convened for the first time in New York. (Since only three of the six justices were present, the court recessed until the next day.)
In 1862, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” a poem by Julia Ward Howe, was published in the Atlantic Monthly.
In 1865, abolitionist John S. Rock became the first Black lawyer admitted to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 1943, during World War II, one of America’s most highly decorated military units, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up almost exclusively of Japanese Americans, was authorized.
In 1960, four Black college students began a sit-in protest at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., where they’d been refused service.
In 1991, 34 people were killed when an arriving USAir jetliner crashed atop a commuter plane on a runway at Los Angeles International Airport.
In 1994, Jeff Gillooly, Tonya Harding’s ex-husband, pleaded guilty to racketeering for his part in the attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan in exchange for a 24-month sentence (he ended up serving six months) and a $100,000 fine.
In 2016, the World Health Organization declared a global emergency over the explosive spread of the Zika virus, which was linked to birth defects in the Americas.
One year ago: Quarterback Tom Brady announced his retirement from the NFL after a 22-year career. (Six weeks later he would reverse course and announce he would return for a 23rd season).
Today’s birthdays
Actor Garrett Morris is 86. Singer Del McCoury is 84. TV personality Joy Philbin is 82. Political commentator Fred Barnes is 80. Singer-musician Sonny Landreth is 72. Actorwriter Bill Mumy is 69. Princess Stephanie of Monaco is 58. Actor Sherilyn Fenn is 58. Actor Pauly Shore is 55. Actor Michael C. Hall is 52. Rapper Big Boi (Outkast) is 48. TV personality Lauren Conrad is 37. Actor-singer Heather Morris is 36. Mixed martial artist Ronda Rousey is 36. Singer Harry Styles is 29.