ON THIS DAY

1793: Queen Marie Antoinette is beheaded during the French Revolution.

1957: Opening of Perth’s first commercial television station, TVW7.

1978: Cardinal Karol Wojtyla is elected Pope, and takes the name John Paul II. He is the first non-Italian pope in 456 years.

1982: Australia’s National Country Party changes its name to the National Party.

1998: British police arrest former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet.

2008: Ford announces 450 job cuts at its two Victorian plants as the company struggles amid the global economic crisis.

Birthdays: Oscar Wilde, British writer (18541900); Flea, Australian- born musician of Red Hot Chili Peppers (1962-); John Mayer, US singer (1977-); Casey Stoner, Australian Moto GP rider (1985-) Pippa Black, Australian actress (1982-).