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On this day in history - February 6

What Happened On This Day – February 6

  • 1996 The crash of a Boeing 757 aircraft leaves no survivors

    Birgenair Flight 301 was the worst accident involving this type of aircraft.

  • 1989 The Round Table Talks start in Poland

    The negotiations between the Polish government and the trade union Solidarność, or Solidarity in English, marked the beginning of the end of communism in Eastern Europe.

  • 1959 The first microchip is patented

    For his invention of the integrated circuit, Jack Kilby was awarded the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physics.

  • 1952 Elizabeth II becomes Queen of the United Kingdom

    She succeeded her father, George VI, who died that day.

  • 1840 New Zealand becomes a British colony

    While the Treaty of Waitangi is generally celebrated as the country's founding document, many Māori claim they were deceived and unwittingly stripped of their right to govern the country.

Illustration of stork, signifying birth

Births On This Day,
February 6

  • 1950 Natalie Cole

    American singer-songwriter, actress

  • 1945 Bob Marley

    Jamaican/American singer-songwriter, guitarist

  • 1911 Ronald Reagan

    American actor, politician, 40th President of the United States

  • 1895 Babe Ruth

    American baseball player

  • 1665 Anne, Queen of Great Britain

Illustration of tombstone, signifying death

Deaths On This Day,
February 6

  • 2011 Gary Moore

    Irish singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer

  • 2007 Frankie Laine

    American singer-songwriter, actor

  • 1999 Don Dunstan

    Australian politician, 35th Premier of South Australia

  • 1918 Gustav Klimt

    Austrian painter, graphic artist

  • 1804 Joseph Priestley

    English chemist, minister, philosopher