November 11, 1880: The Execution of Ned Kelly

November 11, 1880: Ned Kelly is executed in Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, eventually to become the State of Victoria, in the not-yet-independent nation of Australia.

Edward Kelly, like many Edwards nicknamed "Ned" (or "Ted"), was born in Beveridge, in Victoria. The exact date of his birth is not recorded, but anecdotal evidence suggests it was in early December 1854. At the time, despite a civilian civilization being built there, Australia was still a destination for transported convicts, and Kelly's father, John, from County Tipperary, Ireland, was one. He died when Kelly was 12.

Kelly became a "bushranger," essentially the Australian equivalent of a desperado in America's Wild West at the same time. Twice, he was sent to prison. In 1878, along with his younger brother Dan and gang members Joe Byrne and Steve Hart, he shot 3 Victoria policemen, and they were declared outlaws, forcing them into hiding.

Like his contemporary, the American outlaw Jesse James, he was seen as a Robin Hood type, who stood up to the authorities on behalf of the people. This led to assistance from many sympathizers, and he was able to evade the law, until June 26, 1880. He and his men had crafted crude body armor, but it didn't work: In a shootout with the police at Glenrowan, Victoria, he was wounded, and the rest of his gang was killed.

Despite thousands of supporters attending rallies and signing a petition for his reprieve, Kelly was tried, convicted and sentenced to death by hanging, which was carried out at the Old Melbourne Gaol on November 11, 1880. Kelly was a little short of turning 26.

Kelly became a cultural icon, inspiring art and films, and is the subject of more biographies than any other Australian. More so than such American outlaws as James, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, or Depression-era outlaws such as Bonnie Park & Clyde Barrow, Kelly continues to cause division in his homeland: Some celebrate his Robin Hood-like status, while others regard him as a murderous villain undeserving of his folk hero status.

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November 11, 1880 was a Thursday. Baseball was out of season. Football was in midweek. Hockey was not yet organized. And basketball had not yet been invented. So there were no scores on this historic day.