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
While many derided the fast food chain for Americanising our food, the original McDonald’s menu was designed to please local palates.
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.
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.
More Stories
Iconic rugby league field was ‘pool of death’
Home to some of the most colourful stories in the rugby league game, few people know Henson Park in Marrickville is also the site of eight child drownings. The site used to be a brick pit and once it filled with rainwater, became a magnet for young boys. MORE: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Century of intrigue for Met’s woman of mystery
The portrait of a beautiful young French woman, visiting Australia as part of a major exhibition next year, has thrown out many tempting clues for art historians.
Murder ended NFL pioneer’s American dream
Australia’s first NFL recruit Colin Ridgway had a fair share of good luck during his life, but it ran out in tragic circumstances when he was shot dead in his Texas home in a murder that remains unsolved almost three decades later.
Australia’s fight to the death against ravages of disease
As the world lives in dire fear of a global pandemic starting from cases of coronavirus in China, we can still take some lessons from past outbreaks of disease.
Devoted model inspired Matisse’s final artwork
Lydia Delectorskaya fled revolution and became an indispensable assistant to one of the world’s most famous artists.
History’s most unusual Christmas presents
From a barbed wire harp to an elephant, these are some of the gifts you won’t find under the tree this week.
Ancient history behind Sydney’s ‘epic’ Coliseum theatre
Sydney has a brand new entertainment venue at Rooty Hill. But as new as it is, the Sydney Coliseum owes some of the inspiration for its name to Rome’s legendary Colosseum.
Rebel cricketer told officer to ‘Get stuffed’
As dashing in uniform as he was on the cricket pitch Keith Miller was never one to bow to authority
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