Same-sex marriages were legalized in Spain.

Brazil won its fifth FIFA World Cup title.

Sovereignty of the city-state of Hong Kong passed to China after 156 years of British colonial rule.

American swimmer, Michael Phelps, was born in Baltimore. In the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney he was the youngest American male swimmer at an Olympic Games in 68 years. In the 2004 Olympics of Athens he won 6 gold and 2 bronze medals.

The entire crew of the Soviet Soyuz 11 spacecraft was killed when the air supply escaped the spacecraft due to a faulty valve.

Italian race car driver, Giuseppe Farina, died at the age of 60. He was a famous Italian race driver and the first ever Formula One World Champion driving for the Alfa Romeo team.

American boxer, Mike Tyson, was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was the youngest man to win a heavyweight title belt and was at the time considered to be unbeatable. His career however was overshadowed by his personal life. In 1992, Tyson went on trial after being arrested on rape charges

Seven police officers were killed near Palermo, when a car bomb, intended for Mafia boss Salvatore Greco, exploded near them.

Congo gained its independence from Belgium.

American actor, Vincent D'Onofrio, was born in Brooklyn, New York. He came into fame after landing the role of Private Leonard "Gomer Pyle" Lawrence in Stanley Kubrick's 1987 film, Full Metal Jacket.

The first ever Chevrolet Corvette rolled out of the assembly line. It was the first all-American sports car which is still produced today.

The book, Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell was published.

The Night of the Long Knives took place when Adolf Hitler disposed of his political rivals within Germany.

German politician, Walter Ulbricht, was born in Leipzig. He was one of the most influential politicians of the early years of East Germany and the First Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party from 1950 to 1971.

French acrobat, Charles Blondin, crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope 335m long.