ON THIS DAY MAY 11

330 Byzantium becomes the new capital of the Roman Empire. Renamed Nova Roma during a dedication ceremony, it is referred to as Constantinople. Today it is Istanbul.

868 The Diamond Sutra is printed in China, making it the oldest-known printed book.

1310 Philip IV of France has 54 of the Knights Templar burned at the stake for heresy.

1800 French naturalist Jean-baptiste Lamarck gives his first lecture outlining his theories of evolution at the Muséum National d’histoire Naturelle in Paris, France.

1812 British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is assassinated by John Bellingham in the lobby of the House of Commons, London. Ironically, descendants of both later stand for the same seat in Parliament, but neither win. 1880 British Queen Victoria issues charter granting city status to the Borough of Liverpool.

1891 Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich of Russia (later Nicholas II) is wounded in the head during a sword attack by an assassin. 1893 Tour de France founder Henri Desgrange sets bicycle speed world record of 35km/h. 1915 General Louis Botha, leading South African troops, enters Windhoek, the capital of German South West Africa, and marches north in pursuit of retreating German forces.

1927 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, home of the Oscars, is founded. 1956 Elvis Presley’s first entry on UK charts with Heartbreak Hotel.

1992 Film adaptation of Mbongeni Ngema and Hugh Masekela’s anti-apartheid musical Sarafina! premieres at Cannes Film Festival in France. | THE HISTORIAN