Today in New Zealand History

Dates matter, and they are often a starting point for our engagement with history. For most New Zealanders, days like 6 February or 25 April are laden with significance. They are recognised as markers of important moments in our past; they inspire pride, connection, reflection, or perhaps controversy. Some dates hold a sombre or sinister place in the nation's collective memory: 22 February (the second Canterbury earthquake), 12 October (Passchendaele) or 24 December (Tangiwai). Others highlight more uplifting moments, like Rutherford's Nobel Prize (10 December 1908), Hillary's ascent of Everest (29 May 1953) or New Zealand's golden hour at the Rome Olympics (2 September 1960). This book presents a series of snapshots of New Zealand historical events organised by date, from 1 January to 31 December. They range from dramatic headline moments to the hopefully less familiar and sometimes downright quirky - from Jockey Y-fronts (16 March 1940) and a Nazi sabotage hoax (29 March 1942) to the Greymouth beer boycott (29 September 1947) and a parachuting Santa (20 November 1937). A timeline lists some of the key moments and events that have helped shape the course of New Zealand's political and constitutional development, while Born on this Day boxes scattered throughout the text provide brief biographical details on almost 100 figures of significance to New Zealand history.

Historian David Green is particularly interested in NZ race relations and sporting history. Neill Atkinson is Chief Historian at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Gareth Phipps works on the NZHistory, Te Ara and Vietnam War websites. Steve Watters leads numerous educational initiatives in schools.

Have you ever rolled your eyes and thought, 'Nothing happens in New Zealand?' Think again. For those in the know, every day on our calendar tells its own story. Today in New Zealand History reveals the milestones, innovations, catastrophes, victories and quirky facts behind the dates. Inside, you'll meet the people who make up our story, from the movers, shakers and innovators like Ernest Rutherford and Edmund Hillary to the lesser known pioneers who broke barriers and changed minds, like our first ever female doctor, mayor and MP. You'll read about the tragedies that brought our nation together: from New Zealand's 'blackest day' at Passchendaele (12 October 1917) to the more recent Canterbury Earthquakes, as well as the struggles that, at times, have revealed a country divided, from the British attack on Ruapekapeka Pa (11 January 1846) to anti-Springbok protests (25 July 1981). It's not all triumph and disaster, and this wouldn't be New Zealand without a healthy dose of the bizarre. From Jockey Y-fronts (16 March 1940) to the Greymouth beer boycott (29 September 1947) and a parachuting Santa (20 November 1937), you'll find plenty to delight and surprise throughout these pages.Created as a collaboration between Manatu Taonga - Ministry for Culture and Heritage and the Alexander Turnbull Library, Today in New Zealand History is a fun, fresh and fast-paced look at the story of our nation.

Dates matter, and they are often a starting point for our engagement with history. For most New Zealanders, days like 6 February or 25 April are laden with significance. They are recognised as markers of important moments in our past; they inspire pride, connection, reflection, or perhaps controversy. Some dates hold a sombre or sinister place in the nation's collective memory: 22 February (the second Canterbury earthquake), 12 October (Passchendaele) or 24 December (Tangiwai). Others highlight more uplifting moments, like Rutherford's Nobel Prize (10 December 1908), Hillary's ascent of Everest (29 May 1953) or New Zealand's golden hour at the Rome Olympics (2 September 1960). This book presents a series of snapshots of New Zealand historical events organised by date, from 1 January to 31 December. They range from dramatic headline moments to the hopefully less familiar and sometimes downright quirky -- from Jockey Y-fronts (16 March 1940) and a Nazi sabotage hoax (29 March 1942) to the Greymouth beer boycott (29 September 1947) and a parachuting Santa (20 November 1937). A timeline lists some of the key moments and events that have helped shape the course of New Zealand's political and constitutional development, while Born on this Day boxes scattered throughout the text provide brief biographical details on almost 100 figures of significance to New Zealand history.

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