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TODAY IN HISTORY
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1840, Hobson proclaims British sovereignty over New Zealand
May
21
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21 January
21 January
1859
Ice comes to Nelson
Enjoying a cold drink on a hot afternoon was not always as simple as adding ice from the freezer to water from the refrigerator. At one time the ice made a much longer journey.
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1889
American daredevil parachutes from balloon
‘Professor’ Thomas Baldwin landed safely by parachute from a balloon floating high above South Dunedin.
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1944
New Zealand and Australia sign the Canberra Pact
The Canberra Pact was an undertaking by the two countries to co-operate on international matters, especially in the Pacific.
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This Week in History
20 May
1773
New Zealand's first sheep released
21 May
1840
Hobson proclaims British sovereignty over New Zealand
22 May
1884
First New Zealand rugby team in action
23 May
1861
First major gold rush in Otago
24 May
1854
Parliament's first sitting in Auckland
25 May
1861
The
Press
goes to press
26 May
1879
Parihaka ploughing campaign begins