Today in history
Today is Saturday, July 14, the 195th day of 2018. There are 170 days left in the year. Highlights in history on this date:
1690 — Seven French privateers capture New England’s Marthas Vineyard, Nantucket and
Block islands.
1789 — Citizens of Paris storm and capture the
Bastille prison and release prisoners, marking the start of the French Revolution.
1798 —The United States Congress passes the Sedition Act, making it a federal crime to publish false, scandalous or malicious writing about the US Government.
1840 — In order to legitimise a business that has been trading since 1828, the first liquor licence in New Zealand is issued by LieutenantGovernor William Hobson to the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Kororareka.
1853 — New Zealand’s first election for the House of Representatives begins. Hugh Carleton is the first member of Parliament, when elected unopposed. Elections for the other 36 members continued for a further 11 weeks.
1865 — British climber Edward Whymper leads the first team of climbers to reach the summit of the Matterhorn (4477m) in the Pennine Alps.
1881 — William H. Bonney, known as ‘‘Billy the
Kid’’ and the reputed killer of 27 men, is shot dead at age 21 by Sheriff Pat Garrett in New Mexico. 1908 — Harry Kerr, from Wellington, wins the bronze medal in the 3500m walk at the London Olympic Games. Representing Australasia, Kerr becomes the first New Zealander to win a medal in Olympic competition. Another New Zealand walker, Albert Rowland, competed with Kerr, finishing fifth. Christchurch hurdler Henry Murray was a third New Zealander in the Olympic team, but failed to get past the first round.
1933 — German political parties, other than Nazis, are suppressed, and a law is passed that provides for the sterilisation of twomillion people deemed unfit for reproduction.
1943 — The Otago contingent of the New Zealand Division arrives back in Dunedin from the Middle East for three months’ leave. Most of them refused to return overseas.
1945 — As much as a foot (30cm) of snow settles over much of Christchurch, isolating the city and cutting off power and telephone services.
1946 — Dr Benjamin Spock’s famous baby bible
Baby and Child Care is published.
1956 — Ron Jarden stars in the All Blacks’ 106 victory over South Africa at Carisbrook before a crowd of 40,000. This was the first test in one of the most famous fourtest series in the history of All Black rugby. South Africa eventually lost the series 31, its first series loss in 50 years.
1958 — Iraq’s King Faisal and premier NuriEsSaid are assassinated in a Baghdad coup, and King Hussein assumes power as the head of the Arab Federation.
1963 — Maud Basham, affectionately known as Aunt Daisy, dies in Wellington, aged 83. She was the first lady of radio in New Zealand and had greeted listeners with her classic opening line ‘‘Good morning, everyone’’! for the last time just days earlier.
1984 — The David Langeled Labour Party wins the general election in a landslide victory, ending an era of New Zealand politics dominated by Robert Muldoon, who does his best to interfere with the transfer of governance, sparking a currency crisis.
1985 — A scheduled All Black tour of South Africa
is called off following a High Court injunction.
1990 — The National Maori Congress is formed at
Turangawaewae by representatives of 37 iwi. 2007 — The Otago Daily Times reports on a prolonged cold snap in the Maniototo, where for the past three weeks residents have seen temperatures plummet to 17degC. The average household freezer operates at 18degC.
Today’s birthdays
William Chapple, New Zealand politician (18641936); James Burrows, All Black (19041991); William Hanna, US animator (19102001); Gerald Ford, US president (19132006); Air Marshall Sir Bruce Ferguson, former chief of New Zealand Defence Force (1949); Peter Webb, New Zealand cricketer (1957); Matthew Fox, US actor (1966); Dave Hewett, All Black (1971); Victoria, crown princess of Sweden (1977); Matt Halliday, New Zealand motorracing driver (1979); Lee Mead, English actor (1981); Fleur Saville, New Zealand actress (1984); Sean FlynnAmir, US actor (1989); Julia Ratcliff, New Zealand international trackandfield athlete (1993).
Thought for today
Jealousy is no more than feeling alone among smiling enemies. — Elizabeth Bowen, Irish novelist (18991973).