Today in History

1346 – English forces under Edward III win the Battle of Crecy in France, regarded as one of the most overwhelming victories in history.

1866 – Laying of the first communications cable between the North and South Islands is completed, between Whites Bay, north of Blenheim, and Lyall Bay on Wellington’s south coast.

1894 – The second Ma¯ori King, Tu¯ka¯roto Matutaera Po¯tatau Te Wherowhero Ta¯whiao, dies. 1911 – The first New Zealand coat

of arms, left, is formally warranted by George V.

1942 – German army reaches Stalingrad in Soviet Union during World War II.

1957 – The Soviet Union announces it has successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile.

1959 – The British Motor Corporation introduces the first Mini, designed by Alec Issigonis.

1985 – The French government denies knowledge of the previous month’s attack on the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland, despite the arrest of two French agents.

1992 – Serb militia pound Sarajevo, in Bosnia, with rockets and mortars, setting fire to medieval Turkish baths and the main library.

2004 – Hamish Carter of New Zealand wins the men’s Olympic triathlon gold in Athens, ahead of team-mate Bevan Docherty.

2012 – Lydia Ko, aged 15, becomes the youngest winner of a professional golf tour event, at the New South Wales Open.

2018 – Pope Francis asks for forgiveness in a speech on child abuse in Dublin.

Birthdays

Sir Robert Walpole, UK politician (1676-1745); Antoine Lavoisier, French scientist (1743-94); Prince Albert, German-born UK royal (1819-61); Christopher Isherwood, Uk-born novelist (1904-86); Neroli Fairhall, NZ Olympic archer (1944-2006).