The temperature on December 4, 1909 was between 2.8 °C and 6.1 °C and averaged 4.5 °C. There was 12.4 mm of rain. The average windspeed was 6 Bft (strong wind) and was prevailing from the south. Source: KNMI
February 2 » The Paris Film Congress opens. An attempt by European producers to form an equivalent to the MPCC cartel in the United States.
February 12 » New Zealand's worst maritime disaster of the 20th century happens when the SSPenguin, an inter-island ferry, sinks and explodes at the entrance to Wellington Harbour.
February 15 » The Flores Theater fire in Acapulco, Mexico kills 250.
February 23 » The AEA Silver Dart makes the first powered flight in Canada and the British Empire.
July 16 » Persian Constitutional Revolution: Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar is forced out as Shah of Persia and is replaced by his son Ahmad Shah Qajar.
December 14 » New South Wales Premier Charles Wade signs the Seat of Government Surrender Act 1909, formally completing the transfer of State land to the Commonwealth to create the Australian Capital Territory.
Day of death June 7, 1956
The temperature on June 7, 1956 was between 10.4 °C and 16.5 °C and averaged 13.0 °C. There was 9.2 mm of rain during 2.3 hours. There was -0.1 hours of sunshine (0%). The almost completely overcast was. The average windspeed was 3 Bft (moderate breeze) and was prevailing from the south. Source: KNMI
January 8 » Operation Auca: Five U.S. missionaries are killed by the Huaorani of Ecuador shortly after making contact with them.
January 26 » Soviet Union cedes Porkkala back to Finland.
June 11 » Start of Gal Oya riots, the first reported ethnic riots that target minority Sri Lankan Tamils in the Eastern Province. The total number of deaths is reportedly 150.
July 16 » Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus closes its last "Big Tent" show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; due to changing economics, all subsequent circus shows will be held in arenas.
October 21 » The Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya is defeated.
December 9 » Trans-Canada Air Lines Flight 810, a Canadair North Star, crashes near Hope, British Columbia, Canada, killing all 62 people on board.
When copying data from this family tree, please include a reference to the origin: Gert Esterhuizen, "Family tree Eric Esterhuizen", database, Genealogy Online (https://www.genealogieonline.nl/stamboom-eric-esterhuizen/I14776.php : accessed February 26, 2026), "Mathinus Johannes Wessel PRETORIUS (1909-1956)".
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