On February 1, 1897, Alfred L. Cralle, an African American inventor and businessman, was granted U.S. Patent No. 576,395 for the ice cream mold and disher—an innovative, one-handed ice cream scoop that is still in use today. His invention improved efficiency in serving frozen desserts and remains a staple tool over a century later.

On February 1, 1989, a rebellion broke out in Tampa, Florida, following the suspicious death of Edgar Allan Price, a Black man who died while being arrested by police. Authorities claimed that Price “hit his head on the ground several times,” but the circumstances surrounding his death sparked outrage and unrest within the local community, highlighting long-standing tensions over police brutality and racial injustice.

On February 2, 1962, eleven people—seven white and four Black activists—were arrested after an all-night sit-in at Englewood City Hall in New Jersey, protesting de facto school segregation. That same day, four Black mothers were arrested in Chicago for staging a sit-in at an elementary school to oppose discriminatory double-shift scheduling. Although the mothers received suspended $50 fines, protests and demonstrations continued for weeks, highlighting the widespread resistance to educational segregation in the North.

On February 2, 1948, President Harry S. Truman sent a special message to Congress urging the adoption of a civil rights program. His recommendations included the establishment of a fair employment practices commission, as well as strong federal legislation against lynching and the poll tax. This marked a pivotal moment in the federal government’s involvement in civil rights issues.

On February 2, 1915, biologist Ernest E. Just was awarded the first NAACP Spingarn Medal for his groundbreaking research in cell division and fertilization. His work advanced the understanding of marine biology and developmental science, making him one of the most respected Black scientists of his time.

William Ellisworth Artis was born on February 2, 1914, in Washington, North Carolina. A talented sculptor and ceramicist, Artis studied at Syracuse University and was mentored by renowned sculptor Augusta Savage. His work was featured in major exhibitions including Two Centuries of Black American Art and displayed at institutions such as Atlanta University, the Whitney Museum, Fisk University, Hampton University, and the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Herbert Mills, tenor singer and member of the legendary vocal group The Mills Brothers, was born on February 2, 1912. The Mills Brothers were pioneers in American popular music, known for their close harmonies and groundbreaking success as one of the first African American groups to achieve mainstream fame in the United States and internationally.

On February 2, 1862, the U.S. Congress began legislative efforts to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, initiating the process that would lead to the passage of the D.C. Emancipation Act.

Inventor Edmond Berger patented the spark plug.

Some historical accounts credit Edmond Berger, an African American inventor, with creating an early version of the spark plug on February 2, 1839. While no patent records exist to confirm this, Berger’s association with this innovation reflects the often-overlooked contributions of Black inventors in early American technology history.