ON THIS DAY

1745: British national anthem God Save the King first performed, at London’s Drury Lane Theatre.

1826: First book of poetry by an Australian published: Wild Notes from the Lyre of a Native Minstrel, by Charles Thompson.

1924: Two US Army planes land in Seattle, after the first round-the- world flight in 175 days.

1973: The Sydney Opera House opens after 16 years of building at a cost of $100 million.

1978: Pope John Paul I dies suddenly, aged 65, 33 days after being elected head.

2010: The youngest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is elected to the ruling Workers’ Party,

Birthdays: Peter Finch, Australian actor (19161977); Brigitte Bardot, French actress (1934-); Bruce Crampton, Australian golfer (1935-); Ben E King, US singer (1938-2015); Mira Sorvino, US actress (1967-); Naomi Watts, Australian actress (1968-); Stuart Clark, Australian cricketer (1975-).