Today in History: January 31, first Black quarterback plays and wins the Super Bowl

"In 1863, during the Civil War, the First South Carolina Volunteers, an all-Black Union regiment composed of many who escaped from slavery, was mustered into federal service at Beaufort, South Carolina. In 1945, Pvt. Eddie Slovik, 24, became the first U.S. soldier since the Civil War to be executed for desertion as he was shot by an American firing squad in France."

"In 1958, the United States entered the Space Age with its first successful launch of a satellite, Explorer 1, from Cape Canaveral. In 1971, astronauts Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell and Stuart Roosa blasted off aboard Apollo 14 on a mission to the moon. In 2000, an Alaska Airlines MD-83 jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Port Hueneme (wy-NEE'-mee), California, killing all 88 people aboard."

"In 2001, a Scottish court sitting in the Netherlands convicted one Libyan and acquitted a second in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. (Abdel Baset Ali al-Megrahi was given a life sentence but was released after eight years on compassionate grounds by Scotland's government. He died in 2012.)"

Jan. 31 records a range of notable historical events across U.S. and international history. In 1863 the First South Carolina Volunteers, an all‑Black Union regiment of many who escaped slavery, was mustered into federal service at Beaufort, South Carolina. In 1945 Pvt. Eddie Slovik was executed for desertion by an American firing squad in France. In 1958 Explorer 1 launched from Cape Canaveral, initiating the U.S. Space Age, and in 1971 Apollo 14 launched toward the moon. In 1988 Doug Williams became the first Black Super Bowl quarterback and was named MVP after Washington's 42‑10 win. In 2000 an Alaska Airlines MD‑83 crashed off Port Hueneme, killing 88. In 2001 a Scottish court convicted one Libyan in the Lockerbie bombing. In 2020 the United States declared a public health emergency over the new coronavirus and imposed a temporary travel restriction related to China. In 2023 Boeing delivered its last 747. Birthdays noted include Philip Glass, Charlie Musselwhite and Glynn Turman.

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