Topics Today

Newcastle Herald

Saturday November 29, 2008

Today's fact

Aristotle wrote Meteorologica in 350 BC and it became the standard weather text for 2000 years.

Today's word

Weei: An Aboriginal boy.

It happened today

From our files 1965: A small island freighter that left Newcastle on Saturday is believed to have foundered in heavy seas late last night after its crew of 13 had been rescued.

Today in history

1580: Sir Francis Drake returns to England from circumnavigating the globe.

1922: Archaeologists announce they have found fabulous treasures in the tomb of Tutankhamen in Egypt.

1929: US Navy lieutenant Richard Byrd radios that he has made first aircraft flight over South Pole.

1947: UN announces plan to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab entities, with Jerusalem under UN control.

1990: UN Security Council adopts resolution allowing use of "whatever means necessary" to dislodge Iraq from Kuwait if Iraqi forces are not withdrawn and all foreign hostages released by January 15.

1999: Northern Ireland's rival parties form a Protestant-Catholic government that requires bitter enemies to share power for the first time.

2006: A Black Hawk helicopter crashes while trying to land on HMAS Kanimbla during exercises preparing for evacuations from Fiji. Army pilot captain Mark Bingley is killed and SAS trooper Joshua Porter is missing, presumed dead.

Born today

Louisa May Alcott, US author (1832-1888); Janet Holmes a Court, Australian businesswoman (1943-); Brian Cadd, pictured, Australian composer (1946-); Steve Rogers, Australian rugby league player (1954-2006); Kim Delaney, US actress (1961-); Tom Sizemore, US actor (1961-); Don Cheadle, US actor (1964-).

Odd Spot

New Zealand orthopedic surgeon Ian Denholm who blamed alcohol handwash for failing a breath test has lost his court battle and his driving licence.

Today's text

Jesus said "What I say to you, then, I say to all: watch!" Mark 13:37