ON THIS DAY

1629:

The Dutch merchant vessel Batavia is wrecked on a reef in the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, 40km off West Australia. Most of those aboard make it a nearby island, but about 120 are murdered by mutineers in the ensuing months.

The Montgolfier brothers fly a hot-air balloon with no passengers in it publicly, for the first time, on a 10-minute flight from the marketplace in their hometown of Annonay,

General Juan Peron is inaugurated as President of Argentina.

The death toll from smallpox is listed as at least 10,000 in the Indian state of Bihar.

The Angels frontman Bernard “Doc” Neeson dies of brain cancer aged 67.

Elizabeth Jolley, Australian author (1923-2007); Michelle Phillips, US singer (1944-); Mick Doohan, Australian motorcycle racer (1965); Russell Brand, British comedian, actor (1975-).

1783: 1946: 1974: 2014: Birthdays: