Today in History

1346 – English forces under

Edward III win the Battle of Crecy in France, 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.

1883 – The volcano Krakatoa in Indonesia begins to erupt; 36,000 people are killed by the eruption and resulting tsunami.

1894 – The second Māori King, Tukāroto Matutaera Pōtatau Te Wherowhero Tāwhiao, dies.

1911 – First NZ coat of arms formally warranted by George V.

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

1959 – British Motor Corporation introduces the

first Mini, left, designed by Alec

Issigonis. 1978 – Albino Cardinal Luciani is elected pope as John Paul I, but he dies of a heart attack 33 days later.

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

2004 – New Zealander Hamish Carter wins the men’s Olympic triathlon gold in Athens, ahead of compatriot Bevan Docherty.

2012 – NZ 15-year-old Lydia Ko wins the Canadian Women’s Open, the youngest tournament winner in LPGA Tour history.

2016 – San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refuses to stand for the US national anthem, objecting to racial injustice and police brutality.

Birthdays

Sir Robert Walpole, UK politician (1676-1745); Prince Albert, Germanborn UK royal (1819-61); Mother Teresa, Albanian nun (1910-97); Katherine Johnson, US mathematician (1918-2020); Neroli Fairhall, NZ archer (1944-2006); Bernie Portenski, NZ athlete (1949-2017).