ON THIS day
1649
King Charles I is beheaded for treason and other crimes against the realm of England.
1797
Congress refuses to accept the first recorded petitions from African-Americans, who protest former slaves could be sold back into slavery.
1835
In the first attempt to assassinate a US president, madman Richard Lawrence’s two pistols misfire in damp weather as the unemployed house painter aims them at Andrew Jackson. 1847
Previously known as Yerba Buena (the name of a plant, meaning “good herb”), San Francisco is given its current name.
1884
A cyclone hits the north Queensland town of Bowen and surrounding districts, causing flooding.
1913
The House of Lords rejects by 326-69 the British Liberal government’s Irish Home Rule Bill, sinking hopes of peace in that country.
1930
Adventurer Francis Chichester flies solo into Sydney in a DH60G Moth, Madam Elijah, in a vain attempt to break Bert Hinkler’s record.
1933
Adolf Hitler is named chancellor of Germany by President Paul von Hindenburg, who had warned a Hitler Cabinet would mean dictatorship.
1933
The fictional character the Lone Ranger is introduced on radio station WXYZ in Detroit, Michigan.
1945
The greatest maritime disaster in history occurred as the German ocean liner Wilhelm Gustloff was sunk by a Soviet submarine, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 9000 people.
1948
Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated by a Hindu nationalist in New Delhi.
1966
Prince Charles (now King Charles) arrives in Australia to attend Timbertop school at Geelong (above).
2004
The federal Labor opposition announces its preferred site for a second Sydney airport is Wilton, 65km southwest.