TODAY IN HISTORY
TODAY is Wednesday, May 4, the 125th day of 2022. There are 241 days left in the year. Highlights in history on this date:
1772 — A second French expedition to visit New Zealand, led by Marion du Fresne, arrives in the Bay of Islands. It follows that of de Surville in 1769, but Du Fresne’s acceptance of the philosopher JeanJacques Rousseau’s beliefs about ‘‘noble savages’’ ends in unfortunate circumstances when in midJune local Maori killed du Fresne and 24 of his crew. In reprisal, the French kill up to 250 Maori, burn several kainga and destroy waka and other resources.
1780 — The Epsom Derby, the inaugural running of the Derby horse race, is held at Epsom Downs in Surrey, England, and won by Diomed, a colt owned by Sir Charles Bunbury, who collects prize money of
£1065 15s. The first four runnings are contested over 1 mile (1.6km), but this is amended to the current distance of 1.5 miles in 1784.
1814 — Napoleon Bonaparte goes into exile on the island of Elba. Bourbon reign is restored in France; King Ferdinand VII of Spain signs the Decree of the 4th of May, returning Spain to absolutism.
1863 — A new Maori uprising begins in Taranaki when Ngati Ruanui and local warriors ambush government troops at Tataraimaka, killing nine.
1910 — Wright, Stephenson and Company’s store at Kelso is destroyed by fire.
1927 — The United States Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is founded.
1932 — Mobster Al Capone is convicted of income tax evasion and jailed at the federal penitentiary in Atlanta.
1937— An avalanche at the Homer Tunnel project kills two workers and seriously injures three others. It is the second avalanche to strike the project with fatal consequences inside 12 months.
1940 — The New Zealand Centennial Exhibition in Wellington is closed.
1971 — The first private radio warrant to be issued outside Auckland is awarded to Dunedin company Radio Otago Ltd.
1973 — More than 800 pupils and staff are evacuated from the Hall of Memories at Waitaki Boys’ High School, Oamaru, because of a bomb hoax shortly before a visit by GovernorGeneral Sir Denis Blundell.
1982 — The British destroyer HMS Sheffield is sunk by an Argentine plane off the Falklands.
1987 — Lebanon’s veteran prime minister, Rashid Karami, announces his resignation, citing the divided Cabinet’s failure to resolve a worsening economic crisis.
1996 — The Dunedin Public Art Gallery reopens in the former DIC premises in the Octagon.
1998 — Bank Credit Suisse agrees to settle the claim of 71yearold Holocaust survivor Estelle Sapir. The settlement is reported at between $300,000 and $500,000 and is the first settlement in the dispute over Jewishowned accounts missing since World War 2.
2000 — Renegade leftwing politician Ken Livingstone sweeps to a resounding victory as London’s first elected mayor.
2020 Countries in Europe begin the cautious reopening after Covid19 lockdowns. Italy restarts construction and takeaways, Germany reopens schools.
Today’s birthdays:
Sir Archibald Hector McIndoe CBE, NZ plastic surgeon, (190060); Jackie Jackson, US singer (1951); Randy Travis, US country singer (1959); Jay Aston, English singer/songwriter (1961); Kelly Shelford, New Zealand rugby league representative (1966); Paul Wiseman, New Zealand cricketer (1970); Will Arnett, Canadian actor (1977); Lance Bass, US singer (1979).
Quote of the day:
‘‘How can I intimidate Tiger Woods? I mean, the guy’s got 75 or whatever PGA Tour wins, 14 majors. He’s been the biggest thing ever in our sport. How could some little 23yearold from Northern Ireland with a few wins come up and intimidate him?’’ Rory McIlroy, Northern Irish professional golfer who was born on this day in 1989. ODT and agencies