An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck the western part of Iran, killing more than 250 people.

American dancer and actor, Fred Astaire, died at the age of 87. Along with Gene Kelly, he was one of the most celebrated musical actors of the 20th century.

Charon, one of the satellites of the planet Pluto, was discovered.

Capital punishment was abolished in Canada.

American author, Dan Brown, was born in Exeter, New Hampshire. He is best known for writing the controversial 2003 bestselling novel, The Da Vinci Code.

An Air France passenger jet crashed in Guadeloupe, West Indies resulting in the death of 113 people.

American singer, Cyndi Lauper, was born in Queens, New York.

Canadian actor, Graham Greene, was born in Ohsweken. He is an Oneida Indian who was catapulted to stardom after his Academy Award nominated role as 'Kicking Bird' in the 1990 film Dances With Wolves.

American actress, Meryl Streep, was born in Summit, New Jersey. She is the most nominated performer in Academy Award history with 13 nominations.

Austrian actor, Klaus Maria Brandauer, was born in Bad Aussee. He is most known for his participation in the films Never Say Never Again and Out of Africa.

Nazi forces invaded the Soviet Union in accordance with Operation Barbarossa. It is widely regarded as the turning point of World War II.

France was forced to sign armistice with Nazi Germany.

A train wreck in Indiana, USA, resulted in the death of 86 people.

Austrian-born director, Billy Wilder, was born in Sucha Beskidzka. He is regarded as one of the most brilliant and versatile filmmakers of Hollywood's golden age. Among the classics he produced are The Seven Year Itch (1955) and Some Like It Hot (1959).

German writer, Erich Maria Remarque, was born in Osnabruck. He is most known for writting the book, All Quiet on the Western Front, a book about the horrors of that war and the deep detachment from German civilian life felt by many men returning from the front.

British explorer, George Vancouver, was born in King's Lynn, England. He was an officer of the royal English navy, best known for his explorations of North America.