ON THIS DAY

1707: Union between England and Scotland goes into effect under name Great Britain.

1884: Work begins on a 10-storey building in Chicago using a unique steel- framed interior, making it the world’s first skyscraper.

1931: The 102-storey Empire State Building in New York is officially opened.

1948: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, known as North Korea, is established.

1967: Elvis Presley marries Priscilla Beaulieu.

1994: Ayrton Senna, three times world Formula One racing champion, dies after a high-speed crash in the San Marino Grand Prix.

2018: Cardinal George Pell is committed to stand trial on multiple historic sex offence charges

Birthdays: John Meillon, Australian radio and television actor (1934-1989); Joanna Lumley, English actress (1946-); Stuart Appleby, Australian golfer (1971-).