The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and the Moscow Patriarchate were reunited after eighty years of schism. The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad was formed as a response against the policy of Bolsheviks with respect to religion in the Soviet Union soon after the Russian Revolution of 1917. The separation took place in 1927 when the then imprisoned Patriarch Sergius I of Moscow pledged the church's loyalty to the Bolshevik state.

Jacques Chirac became President of France. He had previously served 18 years as the mayor of Paris.

Irish singer and songwriter, Enya, was born in Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland.

American actor, Bill Paxton, was born in Fort Worth, Texas.

American actor and director, Dennis Hopper, was born in Dodge City, Kansas. His first movie appearance was opposite legendary figure, James Dean, in the movie Rebel without a cause.

Adolphe Sax was awarded the patent for the saxophone.