ON THIS DAY 1587

Queen Elizabeth I of England signs a warrant for the execution of her cousin and rival, Mary Queen of Scots.

1709 Marooned Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk sees a ship approaching his tiny island off the Chilean coast and lights a signal fire. He is rescued next day after more than four years alone, inspiring the Robinson Crusoe story.

1851

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, British author of Frankenstein, dies aged 53. 1858

Englishman William Dean makes Australia’s first hot air balloon ascent. He floats 11km across Melbourne.

1895

NSW, Victoria and SA standardise their time.

1896

Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s (pictured) opera La Boheme is first staged in Turin. 1908

King Carlos (or Charles) I of Portugal and his heir, Prince Luiz, are assassinated in Lisbon. In 1910, Republicans take over. 1917

Germany orders its submarines to attack neutral passenger ships travelling to Britain, a move that triggers the US entry into World War I.

1934

NSW makes automatic windscreen wipers compulsory for new cars.

1955

NSW hotels stay open until 10pm instead of 6pm. Drinkers celebrate in a carnival atmosphere but a rule of no drinks from 6.30-7.30pm causes confusion and anger. NSW is the fourth Australian state to adopt extended hours. 1981

With New Zealand needing six off the last ball of a one-day match in Melbourne, Australia captain Greg Chappell orders brother Trevor to bowl underarm, angering cricket fans. While returning to Earth from an orbital mission, the US space shuttle Columbia breaks up catastrophically at an altitude of about 60km over Texas, killing all seven crew members.