1874 Cospatrick fire kills 470
En route to Auckland laden with immigrants, the Cospatrick caught fire off the Cape of Good Hope. The tragedy has been described as New Zealand's worst civil disaster. Read more...
This Week in History
26 July
1863
Floods kill 25 miners in Central Otago
27 July
1953
Armistice ends fighting in Korean War
28 July
1893
Massive women’s suffrage petition presented to Parliament
29 July
1897
Tasmania sinks off Māhia with suitcase of jewels
30 July
1979
Carless days introduced
31 July
1843
Foundation stone laid for New Zealand's first purpose-built theatre
1 August
1987
Te reo Māori recognised as official language