Heavy riots took place in Paris after the death of two Muslim teenagers who were fleeing the police. The civil unrest spread to many cities in France and lasted 20 days.

Turkmenistan proclaimed its independence from the Soviet Union.

British musician, Vanessa-Mae, was born in Singapore. She was considered as a prodigy child violinist and she excelled in performing classical music pieces, however she eventually settled into a unique musical style which can be described as a classical-techno fusion.

The Democratic Republic of Congo was renamed to Zaire.

British actor, John Cleese, was born in Somerset, England. He was one of the original members of the comedy group Monty Python and is considered as one of the great British comic actors. He also co-wrote and stared in the British television hit series Fawlty Towers.

American, Isaac Singer, was born in New York. He was an inventor and entrepreneur who made significant improvements to the sewing machines of the time. He also founded the Singer Sewing Machine Company, a name sinonymous with sewing machines to this day.

United States annexed the former Spanish colony of West Florida.

Italian violinist and composer, Niccolo Paganini, was born in Genoa. He is considered to have been one of the greatest violinists of all time.