ON THIS DAY

1669:

Death of Rembrandt (van Rijn), Dutch painter.

Luna Park fun park opens next to Sydney Harbour.

First pacemaker to control the body’s heartbeat, developed by Dr Paul Zoll of Harvard University, is fitted externally to David Schwartz.

The Soviet Union puts the first spacecraft, Sputnik, into orbit around earth, heralding the start of the space age.

Janis Joplin, US blues and rock singer, is found dead of a drugs overdose.

North Queensland Cowboys beat Brisbane Broncos 17-16 in the first NRL golden-point grand final.

1935: 1952: 1957: 1970: 2015: Birthdays:

Susan Sarandon, US actress (1946-); Alicia Silverstone, US actress (1976-); George Calombaris, Australian celebrity chef (1978-); Adam Voges, Australian cricketer (1979-).