The Maastricht Treaty takes effect, formally establishing the European Union.

Antigua and Barbuda gained independence as a unified country from the United Kingdom.

A fire at a dance hall in Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, France caused the death of 144 people.

The Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, the world's largest radio telescope, officially opened.

American singer, Lyle Lovett, was born in Texas.

The United States detonated the ever first hydrogen bomb at Eniwetok island in the Bikini atoll located in the Pacific Ocean.

American magazine publisher, Larry Flynt, was born in Kentucky. He is the founder and publisher of Hustler magazine and the hustler porn empire.

The last sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed VI, abdicated.

The first ever use of an aerial bomb took place during the war between Italy and Turkey.

Italian football team Juventus F.C. was founded.

The first ever picture exposing the naked breasts of a woman appeared in National Geographic magazine.

Nicholas II became Tsar of Russia after his father, Alexander III, dies. He was the last Tsar of Russia.

A massive earthquake hit Lisbon, Portugal, which, along with the huge tsunami waves that it generated, destroyed most of the city. The earthquake is estimated to have been a 9 on the Richter scale, killing approximately 80000 people.

William Shakespeare's romantic comedy, The Tempest, was performed for the first time at Whitehall Palace in London.

William Shakespeare's tragedy, Othello, was performed for the first time at Whitehall Palace in London.