ON THIS day

1587

After much hesitation, Queen Elizabeth I of England signs a warrant for the execution of her cousin and rival, Mary Queen of Scots. 1709

Marooned Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk sees a ship nearing his tiny island off the Chilean coast and lights a signal fire. He is rescued next day after more than four years alone, inspiring the Robinson Crusoe story. 1851

British author of Frankenstein, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, dies. 1858

Englishman William Dean makes Australia’s first hot-air balloon ascent. He floats 11km across Melbourne.

1896

Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Boheme is first staged in Turin.

1908

Portugal’s King Carlos I and his heir Prince Luiz are assassinated. Republicans will take over in 1910.

1917

Germany orders its submarines to attack neutral passenger ships travelling to Britain, a move that triggers the US entry into World War I.

1978

Film director Roman Polanski, 44, skips bail in California and flees to France via London after pleading guilty to charges of engaging in sex with a 13-year-old girl.

1981

With New Zealand needing six off the last ball of a one-day match in Melbourne, Australia captain Greg Chappell orders brother Trevor to bowl underarm, angering fans.

2003

While returning to Earth from an orbital mission, the US space shuttle Columbia breaks up catastrophically at an altitude of about 60km over Texas, killing all of its seven crew members.

2004

Singer Janet Jackson’s breast is bared during a Super Bowl in Houston. The “wardrobe malfunction” creates a storm of protest (above).

2021

The military seizes power in Myanmar, ousting the country’s de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.