TODAY IN HISTORY

1394

Antipope Clement VII dies after a reign of almost 16 years. He was the first antipope of the Western Schism, elected by cardinals in opposition to Urban VI. 1400 Welsh rebel leader Owain Glyndwr is proclaimed Prince of Wales by his followers as he leads a rebellion against the English rulers. He is the last Welshman to hold the title of Prince of Wales.

1498

Spanish Dominican friar Tomas de Torquemada, the first Grand Inquisitor of Spain, dies. 1620

The Mayflower, carrying 102 people escaping religious persecution in England, later known as the “Pilgrims”, departs Plymouth, England, bound for America. 1857

The song One Horse Open Sleigh is copyrighted by James Pierpont of Boston. The song later becomes better known by the name Jingle Bells.

1956

Australian television launches with a TCN9 broadcast showing Bruce Gyngell announcing: “Good evening, and welcome to television.”

1975

Papua New Guinea gains full independence from Australia. It had been an Australian territory since 1920. 1982

Lebanese militia linked to the predominantly Christian Kataeb Party begin massacring Palestinian refugees at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps.

2000

Michellie Jones , triathlete, wins Australia’s first medal, a silver, at the Sydney Olympics. Ian Thorpe also wins two gold medals and claims two world records in the 400m freestyle and the 100m freestyle relay. Michael Klim sets a world record in his leg of the relay.