ON THIS day

896

Arnulf is crowned Holy Roman emperor by Pope Formosus, who declares the previous emperor, Lambert, deposed.

1680

Catherine Deshayes, Madame Monvoisin, known as La Voisin, is executed by burning in Paris for her involvement in the Affair of the Poisons.

1819

Spain cedes Florida to the US. The region had become a stronghold of native Americans who were hostile towards the government. 1847

US General Zachary Taylor leads troops against a Mexican force led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna as the Battle of Buena Vista begins.

1879

In Utica, New York, Frank Woolworth opens the first of many fiveand-dime Woolworth stores. 1928

Australian airman Bert Hinkler completes the first solo flight from England to Australia, arriving in Darwin after a 15½day journey.

1949

The coastal steamer Bombo, carrying blue metal from Kiama to Sydney, founders off Wollongong at night. Only two of the 14 seamen survive.

1964

Australia’s Ron Clarke shatters the world three-mile indoor record with a time of 13 min 18.4sec at a New York athletics meet.

1965

The Royal Australian Mint is opened in Canberra by Prince Philip. It begins producing the first Australian-made decimal coins. 1970

Runaway Keith Emmanuel Sapsford, 14, falls to his death after stowing away in the wheel housing of a DC-8 jet as it climbs from Mascot bound for Japan. The boy, from Randwick, had been sent to Boys’ Town in Engadine, but had run away. 1987

Andy Warhol, 58, US artist and filmmaker, dies of a heart attack in New York.

2011

An earthquake kills about 180 people when it hits the New Zealand city of Christchurch.