Today in History

1877 – Chief Justice Sir James Prendergast declares the Treaty of Waitangi ‘‘worthless’’ and a ‘‘simple nullity’’. He ruled that the courts lacked the ability to consider claims based on aboriginal or native title. 1906 – A shoemaker, Wilhelm Voigt, impersonates an army officer and orders a squad of German soldiers to help him steal 4000 marks. It took hours before the hoax was discovered. Voigt was arrested days later. 1931 – Gangster Al Capone is sentenced to 11 years in prison for tax evasion and fined $80,000. 1933 – Albert Einstein, left, arrives in the United States as a refugee from Nazi Germany.

1960 – The Drifters’ Save the Last Dance For Me becomes a No 1 hit. 1961 – Paris police massacre more than 200 Algerians marching in the city in support of peace talks to end their country’s war of independence against France. 1968 – Olympic gold medallist

Tommie Smith and bronze medallist John Carlos, both AfricanAmerican athletes, are forced to return their awards because they raised their fists in a ‘‘human rights salute’’ during The Star-Bangled Banner.

1973 – The Arab-dominated Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announces a decision to cut oil exports to the US and other nations that provided military aid to Israel.

1989 – Quake rocks San Francisco, killing more than 60 people. Birthdays Rita Hayworth, US actress (1918-1987); CK Stead, New Zealand writer (1932-); Evel Knievel, US stunt performer (1938-2007); Cameron Mackintosh, British theatre producer (1946-); Mae Jemison, US astronaut (1956-); Aravinda de Silva, Sri Lankan cricketer (1965-); Anil Kumble, Indian cricketer (1970-); Eminem, US rapper (1972-); Matthew Macfadyen, English actor (1974-); Kimi Raikkonen, Finnish racing driver (1979-); Felicity Jones, English actress (1983-).