In History, Today on February 3

Ramon Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona, and Douce I, Countess of Provence, marry, uniting the County of Provence and the County of Barcelona.

More than 2,000 people of Cesena, Italy, were slaughtered by Papal Troops under the command of Cardinal Robert of Geneva, who later became Antipope Clement VII.

Bartolomeu Dias lands in Mossel Bay after rounding the Cape of Good Hope, becoming the first European known to have done so.

The first paper money in America was issued by the Massachusetts Bay Colony to pay soldiers fighting a war against Quebec.

American Revolutionary War: British forces seize the Dutch-owned Caribbean island of Sint Eustatius.

Spain recognized United States independence.

A British military force, under Brigadier-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty, captures the Spanish-ruled city of Montevideo, now the capital of Uruguay.

The Illinois Territory was created by the 10th United States Congress.

The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, granting voting rights regardless of race.

The Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, authorizing the federal government to impose and collect an income tax.

Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson, known as The Big Bopper, died in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, an event later referred to as "The Day the Music Died."

The Soviet Union's Luna 9 became the first spacecraft to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and transmit photographic data to Earth.

Space Shuttle Discovery launches on mission STS-60, carrying Sergei Krikalev, the first Russian cosmonaut to fly aboard a U.S. spacecraft.

Astronaut Eileen Collins became the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle during the Discovery's mission STS-63.

Karla Faye Tucker is executed in Texas, becoming the first woman executed in the United States since 1984.

The New England Patriots won their first Super Bowl, defeating the St. Louis Rams 20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI.

The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster investigation begins after the shuttle disintegrated upon re-entry on February 1, 2003, killing all seven astronauts on board.

The Constitutional Court of Ukraine invalidates the results of the 2004 presidential election, leading to a re-run of the election and the eventual victory of Viktor Yushchenko.

A stampede at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, Philippines, during the first anniversary celebration of the television show 'Wowowee' results in the deaths of 73 people and injuries to hundreds more.

A Baghdad market bombing killed at least 135 people and injured more than 300, one of the deadliest attacks since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The Egyptian Revolution of 2011 continues as protesters gather in Tahrir Square, demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

The trial of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi begins, where he faces charges related to inciting the killing of protesters during his time in office.

Jordan executes two al-Qaeda prisoners in response to the killing of a Jordanian pilot by ISIS, escalating tensions in the region.

The World Health Organization declares the Zika virus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to its association with birth defects and neurological disorders.

Pope Francis arrives in Abu Dhabi, marking the first papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula, and participates in an interfaith conference promoting peace and tolerance.

The United Kingdom formally begins negotiations with the European Union on their future relationship following Brexit.