Today in History: February 1, space shuttle Columbia destroyed during re-entry

"On Feb. 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia broke apart as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven crew members: commander Rick Husband; pilot William McCool; payload commander Michael Anderson; mission specialists Kalpana Chawla, David Brown and Laurel Clark; and payload specialist Ilan Ramon. Also on this date: In 1865, abolitionist John S. Rock became the first Black lawyer admitted to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court."

"In 1960, four Black college students began a sit-in protest at a Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, where they had been refused service. In 1979, Iranian religious leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (hoh-MAY'-nee) was welcomed home by millions in Tehran as he ended nearly 15 years of exile. In 1991, an arriving USAir jetliner crashed atop a commuter plane on a runway at Los Angeles International Airport, resulting in 35 deaths."

"In 1994, Jeff Gillooly, Tonya Harding's ex-husband, pleaded guilty in Portland, Oregon, to racketeering for his part in the attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan in exchange for a 24-month sentence and a $100,000 fine. In 2002, Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl was killed by Islamist militants in Pakistan after being kidnapped nine days earlier. 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."

Feb. 1 is the 32nd day of the year with 333 days remaining. On Feb. 1, 2003 the space shuttle Columbia broke apart during re-entry, killing all seven crew members. In 1865 John S. Rock became the first Black lawyer admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court bar. In 1943 the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed almost exclusively of Japanese Americans, was activated. In 1960 four Black college students began a Woolworth's sit-in in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 1979 Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned to Tehran after nearly 15 years in exile. In 1991 a USAir jetliner collided with a commuter plane at LAX, killing 35. In 1994 Jeff Gillooly pleaded guilty related to the attack on Nancy Kerrigan. In 2002 journalist Daniel Pearl was killed in Pakistan. In 2016 the World Health Organization declared Zika a global emergency. In 2021 Myanmar's army overthrew the elected government, provoking armed resistance and mass displacement.

Read at www.mercurynews.com