The former {{USS|America|CV-66|6}}, a decommissioned supercarrier of the United States Navy, is deliberately sunk in the Atlantic Ocean after four weeks of live-fire exercises. She is the largest ship ever to be disposed of as a target in a military exercise.

The Constitutional Court of South Korea overturns the impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun.

Carrollton bus collision: a drunk driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 71 near Carrollton, Kentucky, United States hits a converted school bus carrying a church youth group. The crash and ensuing fire kill 27.

The {{Ship||Pride of Baltimore}} is lost at sea.

''Skylab'', the United States' first space station, is launched.

The Red Army Faction is established in Germany.thumb, carrying the Skylab space station.]]

Kuwait joins the United Nations.

American civil rights movement: The Freedom Riders bus is fire-bombed near Anniston, Alabama, and the civil rights protesters are beaten by an angry mob.

Cold War: Eight communist bloc countries, including the Soviet Union, sign a mutual defense treaty called the Warsaw Pact.

Israel is declared to be an independent state and a provisional government is established. Immediately after the declaration, Israel is attacked by the neighboring Arab states, triggering the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

A Japanese submarine sinks {{Ship|AHS|Centaur}} off the coast of Queensland.

The Yermolayev Yer-2, a long-range Soviet medium bomber, has its first flight.

World War II: The Netherlands surrenders to Germany.

World War II: Rotterdam is bombed by the German Luftwaffe.

Lina Medina becomes the youngest confirmed mother in medical history at the age of five.

The Philippines ratifies an independence agreement.

Ådalen shootings: five people are killed in Ådalen, Sweden, as soldiers open fire on an unarmed trade union demonstration.

Wilfred Rhodes takes his 4000th first-class wicket during a performance of 9 for 39 at Leyton.

The {{Ship||Cap Arcona}} is launched at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg.

The University of Chicago's local collegiate organization, Phi Sigma, becomes incorporated under Illinois law as Eta Sigma Phi, the National Honorary Classical Fraternity.

Virginia Woolf's novel ''Mrs Dalloway'' is published.

New York Governor William Sulzer approves the charter for the Rockefeller Foundation, which begins operations with a $100 million donation from John D. Rockefeller.

The children's charity NSPCC is launched in London.

The first group of 463 Indian indentured labourers arrives in Fiji aboard the {{ship||Leonidas|ship|6}}.

The first game of rugby in New Zealand is played in Nelson between Nelson College and the Nelson Rugby Football Club.

Japanese Boshin War: end of the Battle of Utsunomiya Castle, former Shogunate forces withdraw northward to Aizu by way of Nikkō.

American Civil War: The Battle of Jackson takes place.

The Canellas meteorite, an 859-gram chondrite-type meteorite, strikes the earth near Barcelona, Spain.

The Treaties of Velasco are signed in Velasco, Texas.

Paraguay gains independence from Spain.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition departs from Camp Dubois and begins its historic journey by traveling up the Missouri River.

Edward Jenner administers the first smallpox vaccination.

A British fleet under Admiral George Anson defeats the French at the first battle of Cape Finisterre.

Four-year-old Louis XIV becomes King of France upon the death of his father, Louis XIII.

Henry IV of France is assassinated bringing Louis XIII to the throne.

The Protestant Union is founded in Auhausen.

Jamestown, Virginia is settled as an English colony.

Battle of Agnadello: In northern Italy, French forces defeat the Venetians.

Coronation of Charles VIII of France (''Charles l'Affable'').

Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured and forced to sign the Mise of Lewes, making Simon de Montfort the ''de facto'' ruler of England.