At the Movies – The biggest musical in 1954 was Oscar Hammerstein’s critically acclaimed “Carmen Jones,” a contemporary adaptation of Bizet’s opera that featured an all black cast, including Dorothy Dandridge (who was nominated for her performance) and Harry Belafonte.

In Literature – Author Ralph Ellison’s novel “Invisible Man” wins the National Book Award on Feb. 9, 1952.

On the Tube – Has it been that long? It was during this week in 1986 that Oprah Winfrey’s talk show became nationally syndicated.

In Sports – One year ago today in an unbelievable comeback, Tiger Woods won the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. This victory made Woods the first player to win six PGA Tour competitions in a row since Ben Hogan accomplished the task in 1948.

On Feb. 3, 1920 the Negro Baseball League was founded.

L.A. Laker and H.I.V. spokesman Magic Johnson is named MVP in the NBA All-Star game of 1992 as the West clobbers the East, 153-113.

In the News – What is now known as Black History Month was first celebrated on this date as Negro History Week. Created by Carter G. Woodson in 1926, it became a month long celebration exactly 50 years later.

After 12 days of voting and debating, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by a vote of 290-130. The bill prohibited any state or local facility from denying access to anyone because of race or ethnic origin.

On Feb. 1, 1960, four students from North Carolina A&T College started a sit-in movement at a Greensboro, N.C. five-and-dime store in protest of segregation. By Feb. 10 the movement had spread to 15 Southern cities in five states.

Ida B. Wells, a black reformer who compiled records on lynching is commemorated on a U.S. Postal Service stamp on Feb. 1.

Happy Birthday – He’s a comedian, an author, a recording artist and the host of his own highly-rated talk show; Chris Rock turns 34 today. Born in South Carolina, Rock has also become known for boycotting the flag of his birthplace.

Other birthdays include: Legendary civil rights activist Rosa Parks, now 88, was born Feb. 4 in Tuskegee, Alabama.Baseball superstar Henry “Home Run King” Aaron turned 67 on Feb. 5.Grammy-winning singer Natalie Cole, 51, celebrated her birthday on Feb. 5.No Kidding – On Feb. 2, two notable items were introduced to the world by black inventors – the spark plug in 1839 by Edmond Berger and the ice cream scooper by Alfred L. Cralle in 1897.