- On this day in 1880. Bush ranger Ned Kelly’s siege of Glenrowan begins. Glenrowan is a small town located approx. 180km north east of Melbourne. Following the murder of police informer Aaron Sherritt yesterday, Ned Kelly’s gang expected a large number of police to travel to Glenrowan by train. They attempted to get some of the townsfolk to help them lift the rail tracks, which would cause the train to crash and kill a large number of the expected police. Few people were willing to assist, and people were gradually rounded up and held in the Glenrowan Inn so that they could not warn the train. After entertaining the hostages for hours with games and dancing, the Kelly gang allowed the more trusted hostages to go home at nightfall, as the train was running late. Thomas Curnow, the local school teacher was on of those released. When he heard the train approaching he ran to warn of the danger ahead. This gave the police time to prepare. Wearing their famous armour, the Kelly brothers held a shoot out with police. Gang member Dan Kelly, Steve Hart and Joe Byrne were killed and Ned was shot 28 times in the legs, which were unprotected by the armour. Ned survived to stand trial, and was sentenced to death by hanging by Judge Redmond Barry on the 29th October 1880. Ned Kelly was hanged in Melbourne on the 11th November 1880.
- On this day in 1871. The yen became the new form of currency in Japan.
- On this day in 1880. Helen Keller, the first blind and deaf person to communicate effectively with the sighted and hearing world, is born. She was born near Tuscumbia, Alabama, USA. Though normal at birth, Keller lost her senses of sight and hearing as a result of a fever, possibly scarlet fever or meningitis, in February 1882 when she was 19 months old.
Please feel free to add your piece of history (something personal or general history).
Ned Kelly armour, located at the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Ned Kelly the day before his execution. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Did you know that Hellen Keller was an outspoken Communist? It’s one of those things that they “edit” out of history books. They wanted an inspiring story about a girl who overcame adversity, so they left out all of her protests, leadership in pro-communist parties, etc. No kidding…I couldn’t make this up!