On February 3, 1999, the Cyber-Youth Network was launched—marking the first time a website was specifically created to address the educational needs and interests of America’s urban students. The site served as a pioneering model for online education by providing culturally relevant materials for both students and teachers.

On February 3, 1997, award-winning jazz drummer Tony Williams died in Daly City, California. Known for his innovative style and technical brilliance, Williams was a key figure in the development of modern jazz, particularly through his work with the Miles Davis Quintet and his own groundbreaking group, Lifetime.

On February 3, 1989, tennis professional Lori McNeil defeated legendary player Chris Evert in the Pan Pacific Open held in Tokyo, Japan. The win was a significant moment in McNeil’s career and a notable victory over one of the sport’s all-time greats.

On February 3, 1989, former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Bill White was named president of the National League, becoming the first African American to head a major professional sports league in the United States. His appointment marked a groundbreaking moment in sports leadership and representation.

On February 3, 1988, Thomas Reed, president of the Alabama chapter of the NAACP, was arrested along with 11 others during a protest at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery. The group attempted to remove a Confederate flag flying atop the building, highlighting ongoing tensions over the symbol’s presence on government property and its ties to racism and oppression.

On February 3, 1981, the U.S. Air Force Academy officially ended its discriminatory policy that barred applicants with sickle cell trait from admission. This change marked a significant step forward in addressing racial bias in military medical standards, as the trait disproportionately affects people of African descent.

On February 3, 1965, African American sculptor Geraldine McCullough was awarded the Widener Gold Medal by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. She received the prestigious honor for her bronze sculpture Phoenix, marking a significant achievement in a field with few Black women recognized at the time.

On February 3, 1964, an estimated 464,000 Black and Puerto Rican students boycotted New York City public schools in one of the largest civil rights protests in U.S. history. The boycott was organized to demand an end to racial segregation and inequality in the school system. A second boycott on March 16 drew more than 267,000 absentees, underscoring the community’s continued demands for educational justice.

On February 3, 1956, Autherine J. Lucy became the first Black student to attend the University of Alabama, breaking a significant racial barrier in Southern higher education. Just three days later, she was expelled under the pretext of ensuring her safety amid violent protests. Decades later, in 1992, she returned and earned a master’s degree in education from the university—the same day her daughter, Grazia Foster, also graduated.

On February 3, 1948, Rosa Ingram and her two teenage sons, aged fourteen and sixteen, were sentenced to death in Georgia for the alleged murder of a white man. Mrs. Ingram stated she acted in self-defense during a confrontation. The harsh sentencing sparked national and international outrage, becoming a major civil rights issue and rallying point for activists challenging racial injustice in the legal system.

On February 3, 1948, Laura Wheeler Waring, a prominent African American portrait painter and illustrator, passed away. Known for her elegant and dignified portrayals of Black Americans, her work was featured in the Crisis magazine and exhibited at the Smithsonian. Waring was a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance and helped shape the visual representation of African American identity.

On February 3, 1920, the Negro National League (NNL) was founded in Kansas City, Missouri, by Andrew “Rube” Foster and a group of Black team owners. It was the first successful, organized African American baseball league, providing a professional platform for Black athletes during an era of segregation in Major League Baseball.

On February 3, 1874, Blanche Kelso Bruce was elected to a full six-year term in the U.S. Senate by the Mississippi legislature. He became the first African American to serve a full term in the Senate and the first to preside over a Senate session. His election marked a milestone in Reconstruction-era political progress for African Americans.

On February 3, 1810, Antonio Ruiz, known as El Negro Falucho, died defending the Argentine flag. A formerly enslaved African who became a soldier, he is remembered as a national hero in Argentina for his bravery and loyalty during the country’s struggle for independence. His story symbolizes the contributions of Afro-Argentines to the nation’s early history.