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Today In History

Jewel thief Cecil John Rolls

Our Criminal History

Lunchtime jewel heist which rocked Sydney’s CBD

In what was considered the biggest jewellery heist of the first half of the 20th century, in 1947 a thief managed to steal jewels worth about $600k today. But his glory was short-lived.

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Guyra Ghost of 1921 still remains a mystery

Our Criminal History

Guyra Ghost of 1921 still remains a mystery

As Sherlock Holmes and spiritualism became popular, a ghostly case in the NSW town of Guyra led to hysteria spreading throughout Australia.

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How war led to an escape to the Mountains

Today in History

How war led to an escape to the Mountains

Terrified by the prospect of a Japanese invasion, Sydneysiders fled inland to places like the Blue Mountains at the start of World War II.

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Sydney’s forgotten ‘Cocaine Queen’

Today in History

Sydney’s forgotten ‘Cocaine Queen’

A witness to one of Sydney’s oldest cold cases, madam May Smith, was later arrested by our first female detective. She was jailed and then disappeared from public records — and from memory.

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More Stories

Today in History

How Australia Day started as a fundraiser in July

How Australia Day started as a fundraiser in July

A woman who created Australia Day as a fundraiser in midst of World War I started a popular tradition which benefited our soldiers on the battlefront.

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Today in History

Myth buster: Australian history debunked

Myth buster: Australian history debunked

They are the stories Australians hold dear. But many are simply not true. We take a look at some moments in history including whether Ned Kelly was a freedom fighter or if Captain Cook ‘discovered’ Australia.

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Today in History

How Hyde Park replaced Aboriginal ceremonial ground

How Hyde Park replaced Aboriginal ceremonial ground

When Sydney’s Hyde Park began life as a racecourse, its role in a significant Aboriginal tradition was lost.

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Today in History

How First Fleet’s forgotten men helped shape a nation

How First Fleet’s forgotten men helped shape a nation

From the carnage of Gallipoli to the Test cricket arena, the descendants of 10 African First Fleeters have played pivotal, but often overlooked, roles in our history.

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Today in History

When ice used to be a rare, expensive commodity

When ice used to be a rare, expensive commodity

Once a luxury only the rich could afford, blocks of ice used to be shipped to Australia from America — until we discovered a way to manufacture it on our own. Plus more NSW history.

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Today in History

Sordid truth behind Blue Mountains’ teen ghost

Sordid truth behind Blue Mountains’ teen ghost

Said to appear to travellers on the road to Lithgow, Caroline Collits knew little but neglect and abuse in her tragically short life. Here’s the story behind her haunting.

Today in History

Diving ‘child wonder’ kept tragedy to himself

Diving ‘child wonder’ kept tragedy to himself

From childhood Arthur O’Connor was fearless on the high-diving board but a traumatic family loss was something he rarely spoke about.

Today in History

Why Maccas catered Aussie menu to local tastes

Why Maccas catered Aussie menu to local tastes

While many derided the fast food chain for Americanising our food, the original McDonald’s menu was designed to please local palates.

Today in History

Brazen attempt to rob gravediggers’ pay at cemetery

Brazen attempt to rob gravediggers’ pay at cemetery

As gravediggers toiled in the mud to exhume the bodies of American servicemen killed during World War II for relocation to the US, a brazen robbery was being plotted.

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Today in History

Truth behind colonial naming of Manly

Truth behind colonial naming of Manly

The real meaning of this beachside suburb’s name is often misinterpreted but can be dated back to when Governor Arthur Phillip arrived to Australia in 1788.

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