ON THIS DAY

1494: 1841: 1927:

Columbus discovers Jamaica.

New Zealand is proclaimed a British colony. Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) formed.

Conservative Party leader Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain’s first female prime minister.

Farmer Cliff Young, 61, wins 875km Sydney-Melbourne foot race in five days, 14 hours.

1979: 1983: 2008:

Cyclone Nargis strikes Myanmar, killing at least 78,000 and leaving 56,000 others missing.

Fergus McMaster, Australian businessman, one of the founders of Qantas (1879-1950); Tim Fischer, former Australian deputy prime minister (1946-); Christopher Cross, US singer (1951-); David Hookes, Australian cricketer (1955-2004); Ben Elton, British comedian and author (1959-).

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: