ON THIS DAY

1431: After being handed over by the church, who judged her a heretic, St Joan of Arc is burned at the stake at Rouen, France, by the English and their French collaborators.

1842: John Francis attempts to assassinate Queen Victoria as she rides in her carriage with Prince Albert down Constitution Hill in London.

1912: Royal Australian Navy’s first cruiser HMAS Melbourne is launched at Birkenhead, England.

1995: First boat people from East Timor in 20 years arrive in Darwin.

2011: Two Australian soldiers, 25-year-old Lance Corporal Andrew Jones and Lieutenant Marcus Caseare, 27, are killed in separate incidents in Afghanistan.

Birthdays: Benny Goodman, US musician (19091986); Clint Walker, US actor (1927-2018); Pro Hart, Australian artist (1928-2006); Marie Fredriksson, Swedish singer, Roxette (1958-).