THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2 1976 The £45 million NEC opened in Birmingham. 1990 South African president FW de Klerk lifted the ban on the African National Congress (ANC). 2001 The last Reliant Robin was produced. Birthdays: David Jason, actor, 66; Farrah Fawcett

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2 1976 The £45 million NEC opened in Birmingham. 1990 South African president FW de Klerk lifted the ban on the African National Congress (ANC). 2001 The last Reliant Robin was produced. Birthdays: David Jason, actor, 66; Farrah Fawcett, once of Charlie's Angels, 58. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3 1969 Yasser Arafat appointed leader of the PLO. 1989 South African leader PW Botha resigned. SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4 1962 The Sunday Times launched a colour supplement. 1975 Edward Heath resigned as Conservative Party leader. 1990 New Zealand pace bowler Richard Hadlee took his 400th Test wicket. 2001 Divers discovered the wreckage of Donald Campbell's Bluebird in Coniston Water. Birthdays: Norman Wisdom, comedian, 88; Dan Quayle, ex-US vice president, 59; Alice Cooper, singer-songwriter, 58. SUNDAY FEBRUARY 5 1961 First edition of The Sunday Telegraph published. 1988 Comic Relief launched. 1997 First midweek National Lottery draw. Birthdays: Charlotte Rampling, actress, 60; Sven-Goran Erkisson, England soccer boss, 58; Russell Grant, astrologer, 54. MONDAY FEBRUARY 6 1935 The game Monopoly went on sale. 1958 A plane carrying Manchester United crashed on take-off at Munich. Birthdays: Keith Waterhouse, writer and columnist, 77; Fred Trueman, ex-England Test cricket pace bowler, 75; Jimmy Tarbuck, entertainer, 66. TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7 1947 The Dead Sea scrolls discovered in caves near to the River Jordan. 2001 Ariel Sharon elected Prime Minister of Israel. Birthdays: Eddie Izzard, comedian, 44; Gareth Brooks, country singer, 43. WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8 1974 The US Skylab returned to earth. 1983 Derby winner Shergar kidnapped. Birthdays: John Williams, composer, 74; John Grisham, author of The Firm and The Pelican Brief, 51