ON THIS DAY

1204: In the Fourth Crusade, Constantinople is captured by the Crusaders.

1606: England adopts as its flag the original version of the Union Jack, which combines the crosses of St George of England and St Andrew of Scotland.

1861: US Civil War starts as Confederates fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina.

1954: Bill Haley and his Comets record breakthrough rock and roll song Rock Around the Clock.

1955: Salk vaccine against polio is declared safe and effective.

1979: Release of Mad Max, a low-budget Australian film directed by George Miller and starring Mel Gibson.

Birthdays: Herbie Hancock, US musician (1940); David Cassidy, US actor-singer (1950-2017); Magda Szubanski, Australian comedian (1961-).