Today in History

1847 – The US Post Office issues the first adhesive-backed stamps.

1863 – The Battle of Gettysburg, one of the most important battles of the American Civil War, begins. 1903 – The first Tour de France cycle race, right, begins in Paris and ends in the city on July 19.

1961 – Algerians vote overwhelmingly for independence from France.

1969 – Denmark becomes the first country to allow the sale and production of pornography after adult censorship is lifted.

1979 – The first Sony Walkman goes on sale.

1996 – The world’s first voluntary euthanasia law takes effect in Australia’s Northern Territory.

1997 – After 156 years as a British colony, Hong Kong awakens to its first day as part of China.

1999 – The Queen opens Scotland’s first Parliament in nearly 300 years. An 18th-century ballad by Robert Burns is sung instead of God Save The Queen.

2000 – After 38 years, South Carolina removes the Confederate flag from atop its statehouse.

2002 – The International Criminal Court, established to prosecute and adjudicate individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, begins sittings.

2004 – Saddam Hussein appears in an Iraqi court for the first time, scoffing at charges of war crimes and genocide; US actor Marlon Brando dies, aged 80.

2015 – The UN World Heritage Committee decides against declaring the Great Barrier Reef is ‘‘in danger’’; US and Cuba reestablish diplomatic relations.

Birthdays

Olivia de Havilland, US actor (1916-2020); Amy Johnson, UK aviator (1903-41); Grant Dalton, NZ sailor (1957-); Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-97); Debbie Harry, US singer (1945-); Sue Bradford, NZ social activist (1952-); Carl Lewis, US Olympic athlete (1961-); Liv Tyler, US actor (1977-).