2/1/2003 - Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrates during reentry into the Earth's atmosphere, killing seven astronauts.

The loss of the Columbia was caused by damage sustained during launch when foam insulation the size of a small briefcase, broke off the main propellant tank under the aerodynamic forces of launch and struck the leading edge of the orbiter's left wing. Following the loss of Columbia, the space shuttle program was suspended. It wasn't until July 26, 2005, at 10:39 am EST, that Space Shuttle Discovery cleared the tower, marking NASA's return to space.

External Link: NASA - Columbia - Home
Generational Link: Present Cycle - Coming Crisis (Powerdown Era?) - Fourth Turning, Crisis (2002?-2222?)
Also, 2/1/1960 - Civil Rights Movement: Four black students stage a sit-in at a lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Biography:
b. February 1, 1901 - Clark Gable, American actor (d. November 16, 1960)
Generational Link: World War Cycle - G.I. Generation - Hero (Civic) (1901-1924)

Elsewhere:
2/1/1979 - Ayatollah Khomeini is welcomed back into Tehran, Iran after nearly 15 years of exile.
Also, 2/1/1884 - Edition one of the Oxford English Dictionary is published.
b. February 1, 1931 - Boris Yeltsin, 1st President of the Russian Federation

Today in Earlier Cycles (2/1/1861):
Civil War Cycle: American Civil War: Texas secedes from the United States.

News Today / History Tomorrow (1/30/2007):
Tuesday, for the first time in almost six years, you have the chance to open a new set of Windows. Windows Vista hits the consumer market for PC owners.

View All History Today posts.