ON THIS DAY

19BC: Death of Virgil, epic Roman poet.

1327: King Edward II of England is murdered in Berkeley Castle.

1964: Malta becomes independent state within British Commonwealth.

1974: US film actor Walter Brennan, 80, dies. He was the first actor to win three Academy Awards. 1985: Mexico counts at least 2000 dead from earthquake that devastated four states. 1993: Russian President Boris Yeltsin dissolves parliament, hardline politicians vote to impeach him and hole up in parliament building. 2008: Qantas’ first Airbus A380 touches down in Sydney after two years of production delays. 2011: Treasurer Wayne Swan named Finance Minister of the Year by Euromoney magazine. Birthdays: English author H.G. Wells (18661946); US author Stephen King (1947-); British rock musician Liam Gallagher (1972-).