ON THIS DAY

1671:

Thomas Blood, Irish adventurer better known as Captain Blood, steals the crown jewels from the Tower of London.

The lawnmower is patented.

First Australian federal parliament opens in Melbourne.

Point Stuart, in the Northern Territory, is bombed by a Japanese aircraft.

United States becomes the first country to legalise the birth control pill.

Jacob Zuma takes power in South Africa in an extraordinary political comeback.

The Panama Papers go online at the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists website.

Glenda Jackson, English actress, turned politician (1936-); Billy Joel, US pop singer (1949-); Jana Wendt, Australian journalist (1956); Grant Hackett, Australian swimmer (1980-).

1899: 1901: 1943: 1960: 2009: 2016: Birthdays: