On this Day

1840 New Zealand's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, is signed by various Maori chiefs and representatives of the British Crown.

By InvestSMART · 6 Feb 2012

By InvestSMART ·
6 Feb 2012

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1840 New Zealands founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, is signed by various Maori chiefs and representatives of the British Crown.

1851 Ten people die in the devastating Black Thursday bushfires around Melbourne.

1906 Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club, believed to be the worlds first life saving club, is founded in Sydney.

1943 A Los Angeles jury acquits Australian actor Errol Flynn of three counts of statutory rape.

1975 Three paintings one by Raphael and two by Piero della Francesa are stolen from the National Gallery in Urbino, Italy.

TODAYS BIRTHDAYS

RICK ASTLEY

ENGLISH SINGER (1966)

Best known for a string of hits in the late 1980s and early 90s, Rick Astleys story may have ended with his retirement in 1993 were it not for the Internet phenomenon Rickrolling. Born in Lancashire, England, Astley was groomed for a popstar career while still in his teens, working with the producing team Stock Aitken

Waterman. His first single went largely unnoticed, but it was his second, the

smash Never Gonna Give You Up, that catapulted the young singer to stardom. The song was the first of eight singles to reach the UK Top 10, giving him a Guinness Record which stands to this day. After four successful albums, Astley retired at age 27 and was largely out of the spotlight until the late 2000s, when the Rickrolling

meme caused a surge in popularity including being named Best Act Ever

at the 2008 MTV Europe Awards.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What historical events does the InvestSMART 'On This Day' article list for this date?

The article lists several historical events: the signing of New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi (1840); the Black Thursday bushfires near Melbourne with 10 deaths (1851); the founding of the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club in Sydney (1906); the acquittal of Australian actor Errol Flynn by a Los Angeles jury (1943); and the theft of three paintings from the National Gallery in Urbino, Italy (1975).

What is the Treaty of Waitangi mentioned in the article and when was it signed?

According to the article, the Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand’s founding document and it was signed in 1840 by various Māori chiefs and representatives of the British Crown.

What were the Black Thursday bushfires noted in the story and what happened?

The article notes that on Black Thursday in 1851 devastating bushfires around Melbourne killed 10 people. The entry highlights the severity of that historical natural disaster.

Why is the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club significant in the article?

The piece records that the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club was founded in Sydney in 1906 and is believed to be the world’s first life saving club, making it a notable milestone in beach safety history.

Who is Rick Astley and what biographical highlights does the article provide?

The article lists Rick Astley as a birthday entry, noting he was born in 1966 in Lancashire, England; rose to fame with the hit 'Never Gonna Give You Up'; had eight UK Top 10 singles (a Guinness Record); retired at age 27; and later saw a resurgence in popularity due to the internet 'Rickrolling' meme, including being named Best Act Ever at the 2008 MTV Europe Awards.

What legal outcome involving Errol Flynn is included in the article?

The article states that in 1943 a Los Angeles jury acquitted Australian actor Errol Flynn of three counts of statutory rape.

What art theft does the InvestSMART entry mention from 1975?

The article reports that in 1975 three paintings were stolen from the National Gallery in Urbino, Italy — one by Raphael and two by Piero della Francesca.

How can investors use short 'On This Day' historical rundowns like this one?

Short historical rundowns provide quick cultural and historical context that can help investors stay broadly informed and engage in better-informed conversations. This particular entry offers concise reminders of major events and notable birthdays — useful for staying culturally literate without deep research.