ON THIS DAY
1429
Paris is attacked by Joan of Arc.
1504
Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti unveils his 5m-high marble statue David in Florence. It weighs six tonnes.
1565
The first permanent European settlement in North America is established by the Spanish in Florida.
1664
In the Anglo-Dutch Wars, the Duke of York (later James II) takes the city of New Amsterdam, whose name is changed to New York.
1760
French forces surrender Montreal to the surrounding British armies.
1888
The first round of Britain’s Football League kicks off. Aston Villa defender Gershom Cox makes the first score with an own goal for the Wolverhampton Wanderers. The game ends in a tie. It is the world’s first league competition.
1898
Sidney and Beatrice Webb arrive in Sydney at the start of a visit to Australia. The socialist English writers would write condescendingly of their impressions.
1941
Germans begin an 872- day siege of Leningrad, now St Petersburg, Russia.
1947
After 22 months’ deliberation, the federal Arbitration Court approves a 40-hour working week, cut from 44 hours, from January 1, 1948.
1966
The first episode of the sci-fi series Star Trek airs on American television.
1969
Tennis player Rod Laver completes a double grand slam as he defeats fellow Australian Tony Roche in the US Open final in New York (pictured).
1974
Richard Nixon, who had resigned from the US presidency on August 8, 1974, is pardoned by his successor, Gerald Ford.
2006
Nine-times winner of Bathurst 1000 Peter Brock dies at 61 when his car crashes in a rally at Targa, Western Australian.