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TODAY IN HISTORY

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1938, Social Security Act passed

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1

Feb

1842

First NZ Company settlers arrive in Nelson
1

Feb

1981

Trevor Chappell bowls underarm
2

Feb

1939

Welfare plan gets baptism of fire
2

Feb

1974

'The greatest middle distance race of all time'
3

Feb

1868

Killer storm sweeps the country
3

Feb

1931

Hawke's Bay earthquake strikes
4

Feb

1975

First woman to swim Cook Strait
4

Feb

1985

USS Buchanan refused entry to NZ
5

Feb

1867

Opening of railway from Invercargill to Bluff
5

Feb

1911

First controlled powered flight in New Zealand
6

Feb

1840

The Treaty of Waitangi is signed
6

Feb

1947

Liner Wanganella refloated after 18 days on Barrett Reef
7

Feb

1863

Sinking of HMS Orpheus - NZ's worst shipwreck
8

Feb

1915

Ambush in Turkey leads to death of New Zealand seaman
8

Feb

1931

First fatalities on a scheduled air service in NZ
9

Feb

1770

Cook completes circumnavigation of North Island
9

Feb

1900

Wanganui Opera House opened
10

Feb

1967

End of free school milk
11

Feb

1864

Charles Heaphy recommended for VC
12

Feb

1909

SS Penguin wrecked in Cook Strait
13

Feb

1869

Killings at Pukearuhe
14

Feb

1872

Te Kooti's last clash with government forces
14

Feb

1915

Māori soldiers sail to war
15

Feb

1882

First shipment of frozen meat leaves NZ
15

Feb

1978

New Zealand beats England in a cricket test for the first time
16

Feb

1770

James Cook sights Banks 'Island'
17

Feb

1873

'The Russians are coming!'
18

Feb

1957

New Zealand's last hanging
18

Feb

1982

'Queen of Crime' Ngaio Marsh dies
19

Feb

1883

Release of Parihaka leaders Te Whiti and Tohu
19

Feb

1938

21 drown in Kopuawhara flash flood
20

Feb

1954

Yvette Williams sets world long jump record
21

Feb

1879

Kaitangata mining disaster
22

Feb

1902

Kelburn cable car opens
22

Feb

2011

Christchurch earthquake kills 185
23

Feb

1904

First step in creation of Fiordland National Park
23

Feb

1940

100,000 welcome home HMS Achilles crew
24

Feb

1870

Last detachment of imperial forces leaves New Zealand
24

Feb

1902

End of the battle of Langverwacht Hill
25

Feb

1943

49 killed in Featherston POW incident
26

Feb

1844

'Pistols at dawn': deadly duel in Wellington
27

Feb

1951

Troops deployed in waterfront dispute
28

Feb

1945

Kiwi soldier faces firing squad
29

Feb

1924

Intelligence tests arrive in New Zealand schools
29

Feb

1964

Opening of first road to Maungapōhatu

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