The United States lifted the economic sanctions that had been imposed on Libya for 18 years. The sanctions were lifted in response to Libya's cooperation in eliminating weapons of mass destruction.

A referendum on the United Nations plan, with the purpose of re-uniting the island of Cyprus, was rejected by the people of the Republic of Cyprus.

An IRA bomb exploded in the Bishopsgate area of London. Two people died as a result of the explosion in addition to massive property damage.

The island of Gruinard, off the coast of Scotland, was officially declared a safe zone. In 1942 it was the test site for anthrax based biological weapons. Decontamination efforts began in 1986.

Apple Computer unveiled its Apple IIc portable computer. This was to be one of the first computers labelled as 'compact' although it did not resemble the actual compactness of modern day mobile computers.

The first IBM PC was introduced. The model was called the IBM 5150. It is now the dominant 'type' of personal computer available.

China launched its first satellite, Dong Fang Hong I. Its design lifetime was 20 days, but it actually broadcast signals for 28 days. China was the fifth country after the Soviet Union, United States, France, and Japan to launch a satellite into orbit.

French fashion designer, Jean-Paul Gaultier, was born in Paris, France.

American singer, actress, and director, Barbra Streisand, was born in Brooklyn, New York.

A massacre of 53 Native American men from the Tehachapi tribe took place in Keyesville, California.

French general, Philippe Petain, was born in Cauchy-a-la-Tour, France. He was an army general who later became the head of state of the Vichy government in World War 2 France. He collaborated with the Nazis on many issues and was sentenced to death after the end of the war, although his sentenced was commuted to life imprisonment.