ON THIS day

1812

An earthquake destroys Caracas and kills an estimated 20,000 people in Venezuela. 1827

German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, 56, dies in Vienna, Austria.

1857

Convicts from a prison hulk batter the inspector-general of prisons, John Price, while he is investigating their complaints about rations, near Williamstown in Victoria. He dies the next day. Seven prisoners are later hanged. 1863

Bushranger Harry Manns, 24, is hanged – twice – at Darlinghurst Jail. The first time the rope is incorrectly adjusted and anchors around his head. After about 10 minutes he isn’t dead, so he is lifted down, then hanged again. He robbed a gold escort on June 15, 1862, with Alexander Fordyce and John Bow who are granted mercy by the governor.

1871

A general council of 90 members is elected to run the Paris Commune. 1885

The first commercial motion picture film is manufactured by Eastman Dry Plate and Film Co.

1917

The First Battle of Gaza against Ottoman forces begins in Palestine. 1935

At least 140 people die and 21 pearling boats are lost as a cyclone hits Broome.

1941

The Australian trawler Millimumul strikes a German-laid mine off the NSW Central Coast, killing seven of its crew of 12.

1945

The drawn-out Battle of Iwo Jima ends after about 21,000 Japanese troops and 6800 US fighters are killed. 1953

Dr Jonas Salk (above) announces that he has successfully tested a vaccine against the crippling disease polio.

1992

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson is sentenced to six years in prison for rape.

2017

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is arrested during an anticorruption protest.