- 1861 – Dame Nellie Melba is born in Richmond, Victoria, Victoria
- 1942 – The prototype CAC Boomerang, an Australian designed and built fighter aircraft, takes to the air for the first time.
- 1948 – Federal government announced that Australian rail gauges would be standardised by 1951.
- 1950 – Cabinet agrees to send forces to aid the British during the Malayan Emergency.
- 2002 – 19th Prime Minister of Australia, John Gorton, dies aged 90 .