A Singapore Airlines passenger jet collided with construction equipment upon takeoff from Taipei airport in Taiwan, resulting in the death of 83 people on board.

An Antonov passenger jet exploded shortly after take-off in Northern Angola resulting in the death of 50 people.

An EgyptAir passenger flight travelling from New York City to Cairo crashed off the coast of Massachusetts, resulting in the death of all 217 people on-board. The investigation into the cause of the accident determined that the co-pilot intentionally crashed the plane into the sea.

A Brazilian passenger plane crashed into several houses in Sao Paulo, Brazil resulting in the death of all 98 on board and 2 more on the ground.

An American passenger plane crashed in Roselawn, Indiana, resulting in the death of all 68 on board.

Italian film director, Federico Fellini, died at the age of 73. He is widely regarded as having been one of the most important and influential directors of all time.

American actor, River Phoenix, died from a drug overdose at the age of 23.

Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, was assassinated by two of her security guards. She was India's first (and only - 2006) female prime minister. She was the daughter of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, but had no relation to Mahatma Gandhi.

A revolt against French rule began in Algeria. It was the begining of an eight year struggle which lead to the country's independence.

Canadian comedian, John Candy, was born in Toronto, Ontario. He was one of the most popular comedians of his time. He died from a heart attack in 1994.

Northern Irish actor, Stephen Rea, was born in Belfast. He is arguably the most famous actor hailing form Northern Ireland, having participated in such hit movies as The Crying Game and Michael Collins.

American television journalist, Dan Rather, was born in Wharton, Texas. He was the anchor of the CBS Evening News for 24 years, becoming one of the most recognized newscasters of all time in America.

American astronaut , Michael Collins, was born in Rome, Italy. He was the command module pilot of the mission that landed fellow astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon.

Magician, Harry Houdini, died at the age of 51. He died from peritonitis which had developed after his appendix ruptured.

A huge cyclone hit the Megna River Delta in the Indian city of Backergunge. The cyclone and the huge waves it produced resulted in over 200,000 deaths. Half of the people drowned from the flooding which has been reported to had reached 12 meters high. The rest died from the diseases that resulted from the flooding.

Nevada was admitted as the 36th U.S. state.