February 3 in History
February 3 is the anniversary of the death of Harry Jayawardena (2025). Below are deaths, events for February 3, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Joanna of Bourbon was born in 1338, while Ping, emperor of the Han Dynasty died in 6.
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Famous people who died on February 3
2020
George Steiner (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
French and American Writer, literary critic and philosopher (1929–2020)
2012
Zalman King (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American director, writer, producer, actor (1941–2012)
What happened on February 3
- 2026
Islamist militants massacred at least 162 while injuring and kidnapping dozens in two villages in Kwara State, Nigeria.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2023
Ohio train derailment: A freight train containing vinyl chloride and other hazardous materials derails and burns in East Palestine, Ohio, United States, releasing hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air and contaminating the Ohio River.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2014
A school shooting in Moscow, Russia leaves two people dead and one wounded.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2007
A Baghdad market bombing kills at least 135 people and injures a further 339.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2005
One hundred five people are killed when Kam Air Flight 904 crashes in the Pamir Mountains in Afghanistan.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1998
Cavalese cable car disaster: A United States military pilot causes the death of 20 people when his low-flying plane cuts the cable of a cable-car near Trento, Italy.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1995
Astronaut Eileen Collins becomes the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle as mission STS-63 gets underway from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1994
Space Shuttle program: STS-60 is launched, carrying Sergei Krikalev, the first Russian cosmonaut to fly aboard the Shuttle.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1989
After a stroke two weeks previously, South African President P. W. Botha resigns as leader of the National Party, but stays on as president for six more months.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1989
A military coup overthrows Alfredo Stroessner, dictator of Paraguay since 1954.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1984
Doctor John Buster and a research team at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in the United States announce history's first embryo transfer, from one woman to another resulting in a live birth.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1984
Space Shuttle program: STS-41-B is launched using Space Shuttle Challenger.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1972
The first day of the seven-day 1972 Iran blizzard, which would kill at least 4,000 people, making it the deadliest snowstorm in history.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1971
New York Police Officer Frank Serpico is shot during a drug bust in Brooklyn and survives to later testify against police corruption.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1966
The Soviet Union's Luna 9 becomes the first spacecraft to make a soft landing on the Moon, and the first spacecraft to take pictures from the surface of the Moon.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on February 3
- 1338 — Joanna of Bourbon (died 1378)
- 1393 — Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland, English nobleman and military commander (died 1455)
- 1428 — Helena Palaiologina, Queen of Cyprus (died 1458)
Died on February 3
- 6 — Ping, emperor of the Han Dynasty (born 9 BC)
- 456 — Sihyaj Chan K'awiil II, ruler of Tikal
- 639 — K'inich Yo'nal Ahk I, ruler of Piedras Negras
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for February 3
Quick answers
Who died on February 3? Harry Jayawardena (2025), George Steiner (2020), Julie Adams (2019).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in February? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the February 3 historical article above.
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Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
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