ON THIS DAY

1872: 1897:

Royal Mint opens in Melbourne.

Swiss cutlery maker Carl Elsener patents his penknife, later to become known as the Swiss Army knife.

The enactment of the Commonwealth Franchise Act gives all Australian women the right to vote in national elections and stand for federal Parliament.

Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid leaders are sentenced to life in prison.

Boris Yeltsin is elected president of the Russian Republic.

Eighteen Australian servicemen die when two army Blackhawk helicopters collide and burst into flames during training exercises near Townsville, Queensland.

Anne Frank, German-born diarist (1929-1945); Warwick Capper, AFL player (1963); Frances O’Connor, Australian actress (1967-).

1902: 1964: 1991: 1996: Birthdays: