Weekend Black History Facts

We’ve got your black history facts every day, all month long. Here’s a few to get you through the weekend.

• On February 2, 1897, Alfred L. Cralle invented and patented the ice cream scoop at the age of 30.
• In 1915, Ernest Just, a science and academic writer and biologist, was named “Scientist of the Year” and won the first Spingarn Medal for his breakthrough research on cell division and fertilization.
• In 1989, Bill White became the first black person to be elected president of baseball’s National League.
• In 1995, Dr. Bernard Harris became the first black astronaut to walk in space.

Here’s what happened on this day, February 3:

• In 1886, The First Negro Baseball League was founded.
• In 1903, Jack Johnson became the first black heavyweight champion.
• In 1956, Autherine Lucy became the first black student to attend the University of Alabama.
• In 2005, NFL legend Emmitt Smith announced his retirement.