Edward John Eyre was the first white man to cross southern Australia from Adelaide to the west, travelling across the Nullarbor Plain to King George's Sound, now called Albany. Eyre began the journey with his overseer, John Baxter, and three Aborigines, intending to cross the continent from south to north. He was forced to revise … Continue reading November 17, 1840 – Eyre replenishes his supplies at Fowler’s Bay, South Australia
November 17, 1558 – Elizabethan Age begins
Queen Mary I, the monarch of England and Ireland since 1553, dies and is succeeded by her 25-year-old half-sister, Elizabeth. The two half-sisters, both daughters of King Henry VIII, had a stormy relationship during Mary’s five-year reign. Mary, who was brought up as a Catholic, enacted pro-Catholic legislation and made efforts to restore the pope to supremacy … Continue reading November 17, 1558 – Elizabethan Age begins
November 16, 1532 – Francisco Pizarro traps Incan emperor Atahualpa
On November 16, 1532, Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish explorer and conquistador, springs a trap on the Incan emperor, Atahualpa. With fewer than 200 men against several thousand, Pizarro lures Atahualpa to a feast in the emperor’s honor and then opens fire on the unarmed Incans. Pizarro’s men massacre the Incans and capture Atahualpa, forcing him to … Continue reading November 16, 1532 – Francisco Pizarro traps Incan emperor Atahualpa
November 15, 1867 – First stock ticker debuts
On November 15, 1867, the first stock ticker is unveiled in New York City. The advent of the ticker ultimately revolutionized the stock market by making up-to-the-minute prices available to investors around the country. Prior to this development, information from the New York Stock Exchange, which has been around since 1792, traveled by mail or messenger. … Continue reading November 15, 1867 – First stock ticker debuts
November 14, 1851 – Herman Melville publishes Moby Dick
Moby-Dick is now considered a great classic of American literature and contains one of the most famous opening lines in fiction: “Call me Ishmael.” Initially, though, the book about Captain Ahab and his quest to catch a giant white whale was a flop. Its author, Herman Melville was born in New York City in 1819. As a young man, he … Continue reading November 14, 1851 – Herman Melville publishes Moby Dick
November 13, 1982 – Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedicated in US
Near the end of a weeklong national salute to Americans who served in the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C. after a march to its site by thousands of veterans of the conflict. The long-awaited memorial was a simple V-shaped black-granite wall inscribed with the names of the 57,939 Americans who died in … Continue reading November 13, 1982 – Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedicated in US
Australian democracy under threat
Two things have happened in the past two weeks that should be of great concern to all Australians. First, the Prime Minister established a “national cabinet” for the first time in our history, saying it was needed to coordinate action on the coronavirus outbreak. Second, the PM shut down Federal Parliament for at least five months, again because … Continue reading Australian democracy under threat
Climate change denials and the toilet paper wars
The fear about coronavirus seems worse than the virus itself, yet somehow the fear of climate change seems not to have hit yet. In recent weeks we have seen people fighting over toilet paper, and one man pulling a knife and getting tasered by police. This seems to have been triggered by the government telling people to stock … Continue reading Climate change denials and the toilet paper wars
Pauline Hanson was wrong on Closing the Gap
Pauline Hanson recently responded to the latest annual Closing the Gap Report. At the outset, I am not going to call her a racist – that’s a word too often used to elicit an emotive response rather than to engage in serious debate. She is, however, part of the problem with her opinions based on … Continue reading Pauline Hanson was wrong on Closing the Gap
Is China really out to rule the world? The Greentown ‘Ruling Class’
Originally published by Independent Australia
Brisbane City Council attack on Adele concert was not its greatest hit
Originally published by Independent Australia
Julie Bishop has not changed Australia’s position on the South China Sea
Originally published by New Matilda
China, America and the insecurities that threaten the world
Originally Published by Independent Australia
Dozens of British celebrities implicated in talent avoidance schemes
George Michael, Katie Melua and Gary Barlow are among a list of entertainers involved in massive talent avoidance schemes – all completely within the bounds of the law, according to a leaked report. Other serial talent dodgers in the report include reality TV contestants, comedy panellists and newspaper columnists, all sheltered by schemes devised to … Continue reading Dozens of British celebrities implicated in talent avoidance schemes
British Royal Family places Queen Elizabeth in nursing home
Concluding it was the best way to ensure she remains comfortable during her twilight years, the British Royal Family recently placed Queen Elizabeth II into a local nursing home, sources confirmed Wednesday. “Members of the Royal Family are in agreement that they simply do not have the time or resources to personally provide Her Majesty … Continue reading British Royal Family places Queen Elizabeth in nursing home
Thousands flee London as Andrew Lloyd Webber announces return of Cats and Evita
Thousands of Londoners have been filmed leaving the capital in fear for their musical sanity this week, as rumours surfaced that Andrew Lloyd Webber intends to carpet bomb the West End with ‘theatrical turds’ from the 1980s. Not since the Great Fire of 1666 have so many people abandoned their homes so readily. One eyewitness … Continue reading Thousands flee London as Andrew Lloyd Webber announces return of Cats and Evita
Babies celebrate as experts urge parents to read aloud to kids, starting at birth
"Yippee!" said one bookseller when she heard the news. She continued,"This is our big chance to dump our inventory of kids' books." Giving a thumbs-up sign to an assistant, she said, "Get all the junk onto the selling floor and prepare to sell, sell, sell!" Couples who really want to jump the gun are reportedly … Continue reading Babies celebrate as experts urge parents to read aloud to kids, starting at birth
Video shows Justin Bieber using three syllable word
Yet another shocking video of Justin Bieber has surfaced, this one purportedly showing the young star using what appears to be a three-syllable word in a complete sentence. "It's somewhat difficult to decipher between the swears and racial slurs, but it sounds like he might have said the word travesty," said Harvard Linguistics Professor Murray … Continue reading Video shows Justin Bieber using three syllable word
Australian Prime Minister commits to cutting Australia’s international reputation by 30% before 2015
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has set an ambitious target to reduce the nation’s standing in the international community by almost a third over the next seven months. The Prime Minister hit back at critics who suggested the status abatement target is too high, saying much of the work is already underway. “In just nine … Continue reading Australian Prime Minister commits to cutting Australia’s international reputation by 30% before 2015
Gwyneth Paltrow fitted for muzzle, treated for diarrhea of the mouth
Some people don't know when to shut up. Such is the case with actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Her mouth has gotten her in hot water with critics again and, this time, drastic measures have been taken to prevent further asinine comments on her part. Paltrow has been fitted with a muzzle that she must wear when … Continue reading Gwyneth Paltrow fitted for muzzle, treated for diarrhea of the mouth
Britney Spears concedes white trash title to Miley Cyrus
Following an appearance at the MTV Europe Music Awards where she smoked a joint on stage while accepting an award, Miley Cyrus has officially taken the reigns as the country's top white trash celebrity. "I feel like I'm the biggest white trash in the world because ain't nobody dumb enough to do the shit I … Continue reading Britney Spears concedes white trash title to Miley Cyrus
Bedroom Tax may force Doctor Who to be evicted from TARDIS
‘We have discovered a single man claiming housing benefit for a property that appears to have an infinite number of spare rooms,’ said Benefits Officer Kimberley Smalls. ‘He is therefore liable for the most severe under-occupancy penalty.’ The decision means the Doctor faces significant cuts to his housing benefit and he may be forced to … Continue reading Bedroom Tax may force Doctor Who to be evicted from TARDIS
Jesus and disciples were not present when da Vinci painted “The Last Supper”
An international panel of art experts and historians has unanimously agreed that Jesus Christ and his 12 Disciples were not actually present and did not personally sit for Leonardo da Vinci when da Vinci painted his famous mural "The Last Supper." The painting resides on a plaster wall in the Convent of Santa Maria delle … Continue reading Jesus and disciples were not present when da Vinci painted “The Last Supper”
42 year-old man still living with his mum will spend today courageously berating people online
Using the avatar HardntheF-up23, 42 year-old unemployed man Peter Broomfield will log on to his computer this morning. He will then bravely tell people he doesn’t know why their lives are not worth living. Mr Broomfield – who may not find the motivation to change out of his pyjamas – will scour a range of … Continue reading 42 year-old man still living with his mum will spend today courageously berating people online
Google purchases the Earth for record $590.6 billion
Search engine firm Google has agreed in principle to acquire the planet Earth for a record $590.6 billion in cash and assets. The takeover tops Google's 2011 deal for the mobile telecom giant Motorola for a paltry $12.5 billion. "With the completion of our Google Earth project, we have analyzed every square mile of this … Continue reading Google purchases the Earth for record $590.6 billion
Craig Hill 