Today, February 3, in history includes the day the music died, Big Game results and a severed ski-lift cable by a jet ... according to history.com.

In 1959, Clear Lake, Iowa was part of the 23-stop Dance Party Tour featuring Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "the Big Bopper" Richardson.

After traveling on a freezing bus for days, causing one band member frostbite, Holly, Valens and Richardson opt out to fly in a Beechcraft Bonanza to their next stop in Moorhead, Minn.

There was snow in Minneapolis, visibility was poor and weather conditions were deteriorating. However, the inexperienced and young pilot, Roger Peterson, did not look at a complete weather report and instead was motivated by his passengers to fly. Minutes into the flight the plane crashed and killing all on board.

In 1978, "The Buddy Holly Story" starring Gary Busey was made. In 1987, Lou Diamond Philips starred as Ritchie Valens in "La Bamba." Don McLean wrote and recorded "American Pie" as a tribute to the three singers killed in the plane crash.

In 1998, Marine Captains Richard Ashby and Joseph Schweitzer were flying an EA-6B Prowler jet in the Dolomite Mountains near Cavalese, Italy, part of the Italian Alps.

The aircraft sliced through a steel ski-lift cable sending the tram 250 feet to the ground and killing all 20 people on board.

The pilots destroyed the videotape. The investigation concluded they were flying at 360 feet when regulations are 2000 feet minimum. Ashby and Schweitzer were charged with involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide in military court. They were court-martialed for obstruction of justice and dismissed from the Marines.

In 1999, Italy approved $2 million compensation per victim and 75 percent was held liable by the U.S., according to NATO.

The Big Game with Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers will take place on Sunday, Feb. 7. In 2002, New England Patriots won 20-17 vs. St. Louis Rams. In 2008, New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 17-14.

 

 

 

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