TODAY IN HISTORY

1190

England’s King Richard I (the LionHeart), captures Sicily’s key city of Messina while on his way to Jerusalem during the Third Crusade.

1535

The first complete English Bible, the work of Miles Coverdale, comes off the press either in Zurich (Switzerland) or in Cologne (Germany).

1669

Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn dies in Amsterdam at 63, leaving the world 600 paintings, 1500 drawings and 350 etchings.

1853

Turkey declares war on Russia, starting the Crimean War.

1883

The first train in what became the Orient Express service leaves Gare de l’Est, Paris, for Constantinople.

1910

Portugal becomes a republic, with King Manuel II fleeing to England.

1913

Large crowds line Sydney Harbour to welcome the country’s first battle cruiser, HMAS Australia, arriving from Britain where it was built, as the first RAN fleet enters the harbour.

1919

The Sentimental Bloke, director Ray Longford’s film version of a poetry book by C.J. Dennis, premieres in Melbourne. It is hailed one of Australia’s greatest films.

1927

Gutzon Borglum begins sculpting Mt. Rushmore in the US. He works until 1941.

1935

Luna Park opens under the Harbour Bridge after machinery for rides is sent by barge from an Adelaide fun park.

1952

Sir Keith Murdoch (pictured) dies.