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On this day - 4 February

Historical items of interest as featured in the papers of the day.

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Buddy Holly dies in air crash

Daily Express 04/02/1950

On February 4th 1959, Jape P. Richardson (known as Big Bopper), Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and their pilot died in a plane crash. They were travelling between locations while on tour. Following the reference to this event in the 1971 song American Pie by Don McLean, it became known as "The Day the Music Died".

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Scotland approves same sex marriage law

Morning Star 04/02/2014
On February 4th 2014 Scottish Parliament approved a law to allow same sex marriage. This came into effect later in the year on December 16th, with a large amount of couples taking the option to convert their civil partnership to a marriage. Civil partnership had been legalised in 2005.

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