More than 200 pilgrims were trampled to death during a stampede at the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

The space shuttle, Columbia, disintegrated while it was re-entering the Earth's atmosphere. All seven astronauts onboard were killed.

David Letterman began hosting the 'Late Night with David Letterman' television show on the NBC channel. it run for 11 years and became one of the most successful late night shows in the world. After a fallout with NBC, concerning who would replace the legendary Johny Carson, Letterman departed for the CBS channel.

Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran after nearly 14 years in exile.

Film director, Roman Polanski, fled the United States after having pled guilty to the charge of having engaged in sexual acts with a 13 year old girl.

A fire in a skyrise building in Sao Paulo, Brazil, claimed the lives of 189 people.

American actor, Brandon Lee, was born in California. He was the son of the legendary martial arts master and actor, Bruce Lee. He was tragically shot dead during the filming of the movie, The Crow.

Dutch painter, Piet Mondriaan, died at the age of 71. He is considered as one of the great painters of the 20th century.

Russian, Boris Yeltsin, was born in the village of Butka. He was the first president of Russia and served at that post between the years 1991 and 1999.

The United Kingdom formally recognized the USSR.

American actor, Clark Gable, was born in Ohio. He is widely considered as one of the greatest movie stars of the 20th century.

The opera La boheme, by Giacomo Puccini was first performed.

The first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary was published.

British author, Mary Shelley, died at the age of 53. She was the author of the classic novel, Frankenstein.

The Supreme Court of the United States convened for the first time. It is the top legislative body in the United States.