1521 Edward Stafford, the Duke of Buckingham, a powerful rival to England’s King Henry VIII, is executed on Tower Hill for treason. 1536 Diplomat George Boleyn is beheaded in London on flimsy evidence of incest with his sister Anne, wife of King Henry VII

1804

In Sydney, assistant surgeon John Savage carries out Australia’s first successful inoculation against smallpox.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service begins at Cloncurry when Dr St Vincent Welch and pilot Arthur Affleck, at the controls of Victory, answer the first call received by the Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service.

1954

Lawyer Thurgood Marshall scores a landmark victory as the US Supreme Court unanimously rules that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. Bernard “Midget” Farrelly, 19 (pictured), wins the first officially recognised world surf competition, held on Manly Beach before 60,000 spectators. Fellow Australian Phyllis O’Donnell, 27, wins the first women’s championship.

Singer Paul McCartney and wife Heather Mills McCartney announce their separation.