In History, Today on February 3

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched a new classified National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) satellite on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

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

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 Philadelphia Eagles won their first Super Bowl, defeating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII, breaking the drought for a franchise championship since its founding.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 Battle of Manila begins between American and Filipino forces and the Japanese during World War II, lasting until March 3.

The SS Dorchester, a United States Army transport ship, is torpedoed by the German submarine U-223 while crossing the North Atlantic, resulting in 675 deaths.

The Woodbridge Cloverleaf, the first cloverleaf interchange in the United States, opens in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey.

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

The First Sino-Japanese War officially ended as China and Japan signed a preliminary peace treaty in Komura, Japan, after Japanese forces captured Pyongyang and several cities in Manchuria. The official treaty, known as the Treaty of Shimonoseki, would be signed later in April 1895.

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

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

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

Spain recognized United States independence.

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

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

The Treaty of Constantinople was signed between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy, ending the Long Turkish War.

The Battle of Diu took place between a Portuguese fleet and a joint force of the Sultan of Gujarat, the Mamluks, the Zamorin of Calicut, and the Sultan of Bijapur.

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

The Ottoman sultan Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror, conquered Constantinople and ended the Byzantine Empire.

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.

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

The Viking Great Heathen Army, led by Ivar the Boneless, captures the city of York.

Khosrow II is crowned King of Persia, beginning his reign over the Sasanian Empire.

The Edict of Milan was agreed upon by Roman Emperors Constantine I and Licinius, granting religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire, particularly for Christianity.