ON THIS DAY

1872:

Death in New York of Samuel Morse, developer of the electric telegraph.

The Simplon rail tunnel under the Alps linking Switzerland with Italy officially opens.

US aviator Charles Lindbergh turns over a $US50,000 ransom to an unidentified man in a New York cemetery in exchange for his kidnapped son; the infant is found dead a month later.

Last load of bitumen on Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane is laid 18km south of Taree, NSW.

Argentina invades British Falklands Islands and overthrows the British administration.

More than 80 top Australian rugby league players sign with Super League.

Giacomo Casanova, the ‘world’s greatest lover’ (1725-1798); Sir Alec Guinness, British actor (1914-2000); Jack Brabham, Australian motor racing champion (1926-2014).

1905: 1932: 1958: 1982: 1995: Birthdays: