ON THIS DAY

1737: Death of history’s most renowned violinmaker, Antonio Stradivari, in Cremona, Italy. 1865: Slavery is abolished in United States. 1892: Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite premieres in St Petersburg, Russia.

1994: Failed Australian tycoon Christopher Skase is free after Spanish appeal court overturns an earlier extradition order.

2011: The Northern Territory government confirms a new inquest will be held on February 24 into the death of baby Azaria Chamberlain.

2013: Ronnie Biggs, famous for his role in Britain’s 1963 Great Train Robbery, dies in England aged 84.

Birthdays: Keith Richards, English rock musician (1943-); Steven Spielberg, US film director (1947); Andy Thomas, Australian- born astronaut, (1951-);Brad Pitt, US actor (1963-); Rachel Griffiths, Australian actress (1968-).