The United States began the invasion of Afghanistan with an air assault and covert operations on the ground.

Palestinian militants hijacked an Italian cruise ship, the Achille Lauro, in the Mediterranean sea. After killing one American tourist the terrorists were given safe passage by Egypt in exchange for the rest of the hostages. The terrorists then boarded a chartered Egyptian jet, however US Fighter jets intercepted the aircraft, forcing it to land in Italy. The terrorists were tried and convicted to long prison terms.

Hurricane Flora landed on Haiti and the Dominican Republic, killing over 7,000 people.

The German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was formed.

Nazi Germany invaded Romania.

South African archbishop, Desmond Tutu, was born in Transvaal, South Africa. He was the first black person to become the head of the Anglican Church in South Africa who had previously become known worldwide for his activism against the state of apartheid.

The island of Crete revolted against Ottoman occupation and joined Greece.

Inventor Ralph Wedgewood, was awarded a patent for carbon paper in London, England.

The Battle of Lepanto was fought, where the Holy League (a coalition of the Papacy , Spain, Venice, Genoa, Savoy and the Knights of Malta) destroyed the Turkish fleet.