46 die as a South Korean warship sinks, allegedly after an attack by North Korea.

The military junta ruling Burma officially names Naypyidaw, a new city in Mandalay Division, as the new capital. Yangon had formerly been the nation's capital.

The Taiwanese government calls on 1 million Taiwanese to demonstrate in Taipei, in opposition to the Anti-Secession Law of the People's Republic of China. Around 200,000 to 300,000 attend the demonstration.

The "Melissa worm" infects Microsoft word processing and e-mail systems around the world.

A jury in Michigan finds Dr. Jack Kevorkian guilty of second-degree murder for administering a lethal injection to a terminally ill man.

Oued Bouaicha massacre in Algeria: 52 people are killed with axes and knives, 32 of them babies under the age of 2.

The Schengen Treaty comes into effect.

Thirty-nine bodies are found in the Heaven's Gate cult suicides.

Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay sign the Treaty of Asunción, establishing Mercosur, the South Common Market.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is held in Washington, D.C..

Anwar al-Sadat, Menachem Begin and Jimmy Carter sign the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty in Washington, D.C..

Queen Elizabeth II sends the first royal email, from the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment.

The Biological Weapons Convention comes into force.

Gaura Devi leads a group of 27 women of Laata village, Henwalghati, Garhwal Himalayas, to form circles around trees to stop them being felled and giving rise to the Chipko Movement in India.

East Pakistan declares its independence from Pakistan to form People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Liberation War begins.

Ten thousand people gather for one of many Central Park be-ins in New York City

The United States Army launches Explorer 3.

The African Regroupment Party is launched at a meeting in Paris.

World War II: US forces declare Iwo Jima secure.

World War II: In Poland, the first female prisoners arrive at Auschwitz.

The driving test is introduced in the United Kingdom.

World War I: First Battle of Gaza

Balkan War: Bulgarian forces take Adrianople.

Thessaly is freed and becomes part of Greece again.

The first Henley Royal Regatta is held.

The Book of Mormon is published in Palmyra, New York.

An earthquake destroys Caracas, Venezuela.

Charles IV of Spain abdicates in favor of his son, Ferdinand VII.

Utrecht University is founded in the Netherlands.

Guru Amar Das becomes the Third Sikh Guru.

William Caxton prints his translation of ''Aesop's Fables''.

Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor.