[NZhistory.net.nz] New features on NZHistory.net.nz

[nzhistory at list.mch.govt.nz]

Welcome to the NZHistory.net.nz newsletter, 15 September 2006

NEW FEATURES

Battle of the Somme
Today marks the 90th anniversary of New Zealand's participation in the
Somme offensive, one of the largest battles of the First World War, and
one of the bloodiest in human history. Fifteen thousand members of the
New Zealand Division saw action. More than 2000 lost their lives and
nearly 6000 were wounded. Find out more here:
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/2455


Overlander and Out: The North Island Main Trunk Line
The final trip by the Overlander train between Auckland and Wellington,
scheduled for 30 September 2006, will bring to end almost a century of
regular passenger services on the North Island main trunk line (unless
it's saved of course!). This feature traces the development and demise
of passenger travel on the main trunk, explores life on the rails, and
considers the place of the iconic railway refreshment room in New
Zealand society. See this feature here:
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/2459


New Zealanders in the Pacific War
On 7 December 1941 the Japanese attacked the United States naval base at
Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. On 8 December New Zealand, the United States and
Britain declared war on Japan. New Zealanders fought the Japanese in
three main areas - Singapore, the Solomon Islands and in the waters
surrounding Japan. This feature includes a general overview and sound
files of interviews with New Zealand men who served in the Pacific. Find
it here:
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/2423


'Dishonour Amongst Thieves': The Maungatapu Murders
On 12 June 1866 James Battle was murdered on the Maungatapu track,
south-east of Nelson. The following day four other men were killed
nearby in a crime that shocked the colony. These killings, the work of
the 'Burgess gang', resembled something from the American 'wild west'.
Read about the gang's notorious trail of crime which ended with their
capture, trial and  - for three of them - execution here:
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/2397


ALSO...
1981 Springbok Tour
Since our last newsletter we have now added considerable new content to
the Tour diary and added a new section on the impact of the Tour. We
have also added some student activities for teachers wanting to cover
the topic:
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/2291


We hope you enjoy these new features - your feedback is always welcome
(email webmaster at mch.govt.nz)

NZHistory.net.nz team