The military history of Australia during World War II began with Australia declaring war on Germany on 3 September 1939. By the end of the war, almost a million Australians had served in the armed forces, primarily in the European theatre, North African campaign, and the South West Pacific theatre. In addition, Australia came under direct attack for the first time in its history. Casualties from enemy action during the war were 27,073 killed and 23,477 wounded. While most Australian forces were withdrawn from the Mediterranean following the outbreak of war in the Pacific, they continued to take part in the air offensive against Germany. Australian forces played a key role in the Pacific War, making up the majority of Allied strength in the South West Pacific throughout much of the fighting there. The military continued offensive operations against the Japanese until the war ended. The war contributed to major changes in the nation's economy, military and foreign policy. It accelerated the process of industrialisation, led to the development of a larger peacetime military and began the process with which Australia shifted the focus of its foreign policy from Britain to the United States. (Full article...)
1792 – The guillotine(example pictured) was first used to carry out capital punishment in France, with crowds marvelling at the machine's speed and precision.
The White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus) is a small passerine bird native to South and South-East Asia. Females, like the one pictured here, are shorter than males and of a gray-brown colouring. Mating couples will raise their brood together.
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