Today in history
Today is Monday, April 20, the 111th day of 2020. There are 255 days left in the year. Highlights in history on this date:
1534 — Elizabeth Barton, the Maid of Kent, is executed in England for criticising the matrimonial practices of Henry VIII.
1653 — Oliver Cromwell dismisses the Rump Parliament by force, setting up a shortlived nominated assembly known as Barebone’s Parliament before being invited by his fellow leaders to rule as Lord Protector of England.
1657 — Jews in New Amsterdam (now New York City) are granted the rights and privileges of citizens; in the EnglishSpanish Wars, the English navy under Admiral Robert Blake destroys all 16 ships of the Spanish fleet in Santa Cruz Harbour, Tenerife, and razes the city.
1689 — The siege of Derry begins when supporters of James II attack the Irish city.
1792 — France declares war on Austria, marking the start of the French Revolutionary Wars.
1862 — First pasteurisation test is completed by Frenchmen Louis Pasteur and Claude Bernard.
1841 — The Murders in the Rue Morgue, by Edgar Allan Poe, thought to be the first detective story, is published in Graham’s magazine in Philadelphia.
1898 — The Dunedin Orphans Club is formed at a meeting in the Occidental Rooms in Manse St. In 1999, the club changed its name to the Dunedin Entertainers Club.
1902 — Scientists Marie and Pierre Curie isolate the radioactive element radium. 1910 — Many Dunedin residents take advantage of perfect atmospheric conditions to view Halley’s Comet.
1918 — Manfred von Richthofen (The Red Baron), shoots down his 79th and 80th victims, marking his final victories before his death the following day.
1949 — Scientists at the Mayo Clinic announce they have synthesised a hormone called cortisone, previously only available by extracting small amounts from large numbers of animal adrenal glands, which has had some success in treating rheumatoid arthritis patients.
1958 — The first Mormon temple in the southern hemisphere is dedicated by the world president of the church, David McKay, at Tuhikaramea, near Hamilton.
1968 — Pierre Elliott Trudeau is sworn in as prime minister of Canada; British politician
Enoch Powell makes his controversial ‘‘Rivers of Blood’’ speech.
1974 — A gala performance of Oliver! by the
Dunedin Operatic Society launches the first stage of the Regent Theatre development by the Otago Theatre Trust.
1979 — Dunedin signwriter Eric Watson is appointed All Black coach.
1981 — Allison Roe becomes the first New Zealand woman to win the prestigious Boston Marathon, taking almost 8min off the course record, in the time of 2hr 26min 46sec. The marathon for women was not included at the Summer Olympics until the Los Angeles Games in 1984.
1983 — Maori activist Dun Mihaka is arrested for baring his buttocks to Prince Charles and Princess Diana as they leave Wellington Airport.
1992 — More than 4000 Thais protest in Bangkok against the naming of a general, Suchinda Kraprayoon, as prime minister.
1998 — An Ecuadorean jet slams into a mountainside in Colombia, killing all 53 people aboard.
2010 — BP’s Deepwater Horizon offshore oilrig explodes and later sinks, killing 11 people and releasing about 800million of litres of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico in what turned out to be the worst spill in United States history.
Today’s birthdays:
Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon III), French statesman (18081873); Harold Lloyd, US film comedian (18931971); Alphonsus (Fonse) Carroll, New Zealand rugby union and rugby league international (18951974); George Takei, US actor (1937); Ryan O’Neal, US actor (1941); Jessica Lange, US actress (1949); George Baloghy, New Zealand artist (1950); Julian (Joe) Bennett, New Zealand writer/columnist (1957); Clint Howard, US actor (1959); Carmen Electra, US model/actress/singer (1972); Tom Willis, All Black (1979);
Cameron Duncan, New Zealand writer/director (19862003); Hayden Paddon, New Zealand rally driver (1987).
Quote of the day:
‘‘When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go.’’ — Carol Burnett, US actress, comedian, singer and writer, who was born on this day in 1933.