Canadian athlete, Ben Johnson, was banned for life from athletics after failing drug test for a second time in his career.

American comedian, John Belushi, was found dead of a drug overdose at the age 33. He is most remembered for his work on Saturday Night Live, National Lampoon's Animal House and The Blues Brothers.

Two Spanish passenger jets collided in mid-air, resulting in the death of 68 people.

The nuclear non-proliferation treaty went into effect two years after it had been ratified by 43 nations.

A British Overseas Airways passenger jet crashed on Mount Fuji, Japan, resulting in the death of 124.

Austrian singer, Udo Jurgens, won the eleventh Eurovision Song Contest in Luxembourg.

Russian composer, Sergei Prokofiev, died at the age of 61. He is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century.

Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin, died at the age of 74. He was the de facto leader of the Soviet Union from 1922 until his death in 1953.

The term "Iron Curtain" was first used by Winston Churchill during a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri.

British actor, Rex Harrison, was born in Huyton, Knowsley. He was one of the most popular actors of the 20th century and is most remembered for his portrayal of Professor Henry Higgins in the musical My Fair Lady. He was married six times.

German revolutionary, Rosa Luxemburg, was born in Zamosc, Poland. She was one of the foremost communist activists and theorists of early 20th century.

Dutch painter, Jan van der Heyden, was born in Gorinchem, Neth. He was most famous for painting architectural landscapes.

Belgian cartographer, Gerardus Mercator, was born in Flanders. He was one of the most famous cartographers of all time.