Osun Defender History Corner: February 3 In Focus

Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.

February 3, 1488

Bartolomeu Dias of Portugal lands at Mossel Bay, becoming the first known European to reach the Indian Ocean.

February 3, 1690

The colony of Massachusetts issues the first paper money in the Americas.

February 3, 1783

Spain recognizes the independence of the United States.

February 3, 1809

The Territory of Illinois is created.

February 3, 1870

The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, granting African American men the right to vote.

February 3, 1913

The 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, allowing Congress to levy income taxes.

February 3, 1924

Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, dies in Washington, D.C.

February 3, 1945

World War II: The Battle of Manila begins as American forces enter the outskirts of Manila.

February 3, 1959

Rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson die in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.

February 3, 1966

The Soviet Union’s Luna 9 spacecraft becomes the first to successfully transmit photographs from the moon’s surface.

February 3, 1984

John Buster and his research team at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center announce history’s first embryo transfer, leading to the birth of a healthy baby girl.

February 3, 1995

Astronaut Eileen Collins becomes the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle as mission STS-63 takes off.

February 3, 2007

A Baghdad market bombing kills at least 135 people and injures a further 339.

February 3, 2013

A plane carrying five people, including Vittorio Missoni, goes missing off the coast of Venezuela.

February 3, 2015

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claims responsibility for a triple suicide bombing in eastern Libya, killing at least 40 people.

February 3, 2016

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake strikes Taiwan, killing at least 117 people and injuring more than 550.

February 3, 2019

The United States formally withdraws from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia.

February 3, 2020

The United States Senate acquits President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial.

February 3, 2021

NASA’s Perseverance rover successfully lands on Mars, beginning its mission to search for signs of past life and collect samples for future return to Earth.

February 3, 2022

Russia invades Ukraine, leading to significant international tensions and protests.

Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on February 3. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.