An explosion hits the south wing of the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Quezon City, killing four people, including Congressman Wahab Akbar, and wounding six.

Andrew Stimpson, a 25-year old British man, is reported as the first person proven to have been "cured" of HIV

The oil tanker ''Prestige'' sinks off the Galician coast and causes a huge oil spill.

Iraq disarmament crisis: Iraq agrees to the terms of the UN Security Council Resolution 1441.

War on Terrorism: In the first such act since World War II, US President George W. Bush signs an executive order allowing military tribunals against foreigners suspected of connections to terrorist acts or planned acts on the United States.

Philippine House Speaker Manuel B. Villar, Jr. passes the articles of impeachment against Philippine President Joseph Estrada.

A truck-bomb explodes outside of a US-operated Saudi Arabian National Guard training center in Riyadh, killing five Americans and two Indians. A group called the Islamic Movement for Change claims responsibility.

In a referendum voters in Sweden decide to join the European Union.

The High Court of Australia rules in '''''Dietrich v The Queen''''' that although there is no absolute right to have publicly funded counsel, in most circumstances a judge should grant any request for an adjournment or stay when an accused is unrepresented.

In Aramoana, New Zealand, David Gray shoots dead 13 people, in what becomes known as the Aramoana Massacre.

Mulugeta Seraw, an Ethiopian law student in {{city-state|Portland|Oregon}} is beaten to death by members of the Neo-Nazi group East Side White Pride.

Xavier Suarez is sworn in as {{city-state|Miami|Florida}}'s first Cuban-born mayor.

The volcano Nevado del Ruiz erupts and melts a glacier, causing a lahar (volcanic mudslide) that buries Armero, Colombia, killing approximately 23,000 people.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C. after a march to its site by thousands of Vietnam War veterans.

Ray Mancini defeats Duk Koo Kim in a boxing match held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kim's subsequent death (on November 17) leads to significant changes in the sport.

The American space probe, Mariner 9, becomes the first spacecraft to orbit another planet successfully, swinging into its planned trajectory around Mars.

Bhola cyclone: A 150-mph tropical cyclone hits the densely populated Ganges Delta region of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), killing an estimated 500,000 people in one night. This is regarded as the 20th century's worst natural disaster.

Vietnam War: Anti-war protesters in Washington, D.C. stage a symbolic ''March Against Death''.

The {{SS|Yarmouth Castle}} burns and sinks 60 miles off Nassau with the loss of 90 lives.

The United States Supreme Court declares Alabama and Montgomery, Alabama laws requiring segregated buses illegal, thus ending the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Great Britain defeats France to capture the first ever Rugby League World Cup in Paris in front of around 30,000 spectators.

General Carlos Delgado Chalbaud, President of Venezuela, is assassinated in Caracas.

Russia completes development of the AK-47, one of the first proper assault rifles

World War II: Naval Battle of Guadalcanal

World War II: The aircraft carrier {{HMS|Ark Royal|91|6}} is torpedoed by U 81, sinking the following day.

The Holland Tunnel opens to traffic as the first Hudson River vehicle tunnel linking New Jersey to New York City.

Allied troops occupy Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

Prime Minister of Australia Billy Hughes is expelled from the Labor Party over his support for conscription.

''Collier's magazine'' accuses United States Secretary of the Interior Richard Ballinger of questionable dealings in Alaskan coal fields.

The 1901 Caister Lifeboat Disaster.

Bloody Sunday clashes in central London.

The new Constitution of Greece is adopted.

The Denny Party lands at Alki Point, the first settlers in what would become Seattle, Washington.

James Braid first sees a demonstration of ''animal magnetism'', which leads to his study of the subject he eventually calls ''hypnotism''.

American Revolutionary War: Patriot revolutionary forces under Col. Ethan Allen attack Montreal, Quebec, defended by British General Guy Carleton.

First English Civil War: Battle of Turnham Green

Louis VII of France marries Adele of Champagne.

English king Æthelred II orders the killing of all Danes in England, known today as the St. Brice's Day massacre.