Rum rise and rapid fall of a Darlinghurst empire
Richard ‘China’ Jones went from one of colonial Sydney’s wealthiest men to bankrupt but still made his mark on one of Sydney’s most colourful ‘hoods.
Today In History
‘Animal heroes’ who served alongside Aussie soldiers in wartime
On Remembrance Day we honour the people who served by wearing a red poppy, but many also commemorate the animals who were wounded or died in action by wearing a purple poppy.
Paddington’s first picture show no picnic for patrons
In 1910 watching a movie under the stars was a considerably less comfortable prospect than it can be today. But that didn’t stop it from being a popular pastime. OUR HISTORY: FIND OUT MORE
Frugal life and lonely death of Australia’s first millionaire
Australia’s first millionaire was born at Cowpastures, now Narellan and Camden, in 1819, the son of a farmer and a convict. James Tyson saw the benefit in working over playing and living a frugal lifestyle despite his growing wealth. MORE: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
More Stories
Rise and rise of a monster
Few realised it at the time but the 1930 German election put the world on course for another devastating conflict
Gangs ruled streets with just their ‘shaving gear’
A crime wave in Sydney in the 1920s led to an outbreak of violence using cut throat razors
Race to conquer skies took decades to win
When Harry Houdini escaped the bonds of gravity at Diggers Rest in Victoria in 1910 he claimed to have been the first to fly an aeroplane in Australia, but in fact somebody had beaten him to it
Bush poet’s execution a sacrifice for peace
Lt Harry Morant and Lt Handcock went to their death as a peace gesture between the British and the Boers
‘Nasty’ Muriel’s Wedding almost didn’t make it
A quarter of a century ago Muriel’s Wedding premiered at Cannes to great acclaim. But the now beloved musical almost never made it to the big screen
Killer cult unleashed poison on Aussie sheep
In 1993 a group of cult members came to Australia to test out a deadly poison. The world became aware of their experiments after two fatal attacks in Japan, the first of which was 25 years ago today
Cold killer cried on day of his execution
Serial killer Frederick Deeming, once linked to Jack The Ripper, had been arrogant and defiant at his trial but broke down and wept on his day of execution
The Anzac, his feathers and love that outlasted war
When Eunice Lydiate accepted a gift of feathers from an unknown soldier marching to war, it was the beginning of a love story that lasted 74 years
Husband too late to prevent Judy Garland’s lonely death
Mickey Deans made a terrible discovery 50 years ago today, when he had to climb in through a bathroom window after receiving no response from his wife Judy Garland
Coal miners’ strike left public out in the cold
Seventy years ago Australia was shivering through a harsh winter because of a coal strike, but while houses were cold the political climate was heating up
Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/today-in-history/page/11