February 1
Greensboro Sit-Ins Begin
On February 1, 1960, Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Franklin McCain, and Joseph McNeil — students from North Carolina A&T — sat at the segregated Woolworth's lunch counter and refused to leave. Their nonviolent protest sparked a sit-in movement across the South and led to the desegregation of Woolworth's lunch counters six months later.
Greensboro Sit-Ins
On February 1, 1960, four North Carolina A&T students — Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Franklin McCain, and Joseph McNeil — sat at the whites-only lunch counter at Woolworth's in Greensboro. The sit-in movement spread to dozens of cities and led to the desegregation of lunch counters across the South.
Meroë Kingdom Flourishes with Iron Production
The Kingdom of Meroë, located in present-day Sudan, developed one of the most advanced iron-smelting industries in the ancient world. The massive slag heaps that remain at the site testify to centuries of large-scale iron production. Meroë also developed its own writing system (Meroitic script), one of the oldest in Africa, which scholars are still working to fully decipher.
Langston Hughes Born
James Mercer Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1901 in Joplin, Missouri. He became one of the most important writers of the Harlem Renaissance, known for his poetry, novels, and plays that celebrated African American life and culture.
Launch of the Black Tech Week
Black Tech Week was launched to celebrate and support Black entrepreneurs in technology.
Launch of the AI Now Institute
The AI Now Institute, focusing on the social implications of artificial intelligence, was launched.
Sit-in Movement at Woolworth's
Four African American college students staged a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro.
Birth of DeHart Hubbard
DeHart Hubbard, the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal in long jump, was born.
The Greensboro Sit-ins
Four African American college students staged a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter.
Birth of Angela Benton
Angela Benton, a technology entrepreneur and founder of a startup incubator, was born.
Founding of the National Black Association of Engineers
The National Black Association of Engineers was founded to support Black engineers.