0512 Ireland, science: A solar eclipse was recorded by a monastic chronicler.
1859 Queenston (Ontario), History: French acrobat Charles Blondin was the first to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope 1100 feet long, 160 feet above water, on a three inch rope. He did it several times, each time more elaborate than the last, carrying another person, blindfolded, pushing a wheel barrow, and -la pièce de résistance – stopping halfway across to light a spirit stove and make an omelette, while staring at an iPhone.
1958 Stockholm, Sports: Seventeen year-old Edison Arondes do Nascimento exploded on the soccer world when Brazil beat a highly rated Swedish team 5-2 in the World Cup final. Known as Pelé, he had played only a little in earlier matches but injuries to starters gave him a chance and in the final Pelé dazzled defenders and scored three of the goals and set-up the other two. As one Swede said, there seemed to be ‘five of him at once. Everywhere.’
1990 Dunedin (NZ), Religion: Dr Penny Jamieson became the world’s first diocesan Anglican bishop. Contrary to predictions, the sky did not fall. Although the Pox News blamed the Christchurch earthquake on her.
1995 Space, Technology: The US space shuttle Atlantis docked with the Russian space station Mir, marking the first space cooperation between the two nations.
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