An adult giant squid is caught on video for the first time by Tsunemi Kubodera near the Ogasawara Islands, 1,000 km (620 miles) south of Tokyo.

Tens of thousands of people in Hong Kong protest for democracy and call on the Government to allow universal and equal suffrage.

The ''Unity Module'', the second module of the International Space Station, is launched.

A truce is concluded between the government of Angola and UNITA rebels.

Somali Civil War: President George H. W. Bush orders 28,000 US troops to Somalia in Northeast Africa.

Journalist Terry A. Anderson is released after 7 years in captivity as a hostage in Beirut. He was the last and longest-held American hostage in Lebanon.

Captain Mark Pyle pilots ''Clipper Goodwill'', a Pan American World Airways Boeing 727-221ADV, to Miami International Airport ending 64 years of Pan Am operations.

Hezbollah militants hijack a Kuwait Airlines plane, killing four passengers.

The People's Republic of China adopts its current constitution.

South Africa grants independence to the Ciskei "homeland" (not recognized by any government outside South Africa).

English rock group Led Zeppelin officially disbands, following the death of drummer John Bonham on September 25th.

The Hastie fire in Hull, kills three schoolboys and eventually leads police to arrest Bruce George Peter Lee.

Michael Jackson starts recording his album ''Off the wall''.

Following the murder of Mayor George Moscone, Dianne Feinstein becomes San Francisco, California's first female mayor (she served until January 8, 1988).

Malaysia Airlines Flight 653 is hijacked and crashes in Tanjong Kupang, Johor, killing 100.

Jean-Bédel Bokassa, president of the Central African Republic, crowns himself Emperor Bokassa I of the Central African Empire.

Suriname joins the United Nations.

McGurk's Bar bombing: An Ulster Volunteer Force bomb kills 15 civilians and wounds 17 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The Montreux Casino in Switzerland is set ablaze by someone wielding a flare gun during a Frank Zappa concert; the incident would be noted in the Deep Purple song "Smoke on the Water".

The Indian Navy attacks the Pakistan Navy and Karachi.

The United Nations Security Council calls an emergency session to consider the deteriorating situation between India and Pakistan.

Black Panther Party members Fred Hampton and Mark Clark are shot and killed in their sleep during a raid by 14 Chicago police officers.

Vietnam War: US and South Vietnamese forces engage Viet Cong troops in the Mekong Delta.

Dahomey (present-day Benin) becomes a self-governing country within the French Community.

The first Burger King is opened in Miami, Florida, United States

By a vote of 65 to 7, the United States Senate approves United States participation in the United Nations (the UN was established on October 24, 1945).

World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt closes down the Works Progress Administration, because of the high levels of wartime employment in the United States.

World War II: In Yugoslavia, resistance leader Marshal Tito proclaims a provisional democratic Yugoslav government in-exile.

World War II: Carlson's patrol during the Guadalcanal Campaign ends.

Holocaust: In Warsaw, Zofia Kossak-Szczucka and Wanda Krahelska-Filipowicz set up the Żegota organization.

World War II: ''HMS Nelson'' is struck by a mine (laid by ''U-31'') off the Scottish coast and is laid up for repairs until August 1940.

The Virginia Rappe manslaughter trial against Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle ends in a hung jury.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson sails for the World War I peace talks in Versailles, becoming the first US president to travel to Europe while in office.

1st Grey Cup game was played. The University of Toronto Varsity Blues defeat the Toronto Parkdale Canoe Club 26–6.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity in the United States established for men of African descent, is founded at Cornell University.

The first edition of the ''Los Angeles Times'' is published.

Notorious New York City politician Boss Tweed escapes from prison and flees to Cuba, then Spain.

The crewless American ship ''Mary Celeste'' is found by the British brig ''Dei Gratia'' (the ship had been abandoned for nine days but was only slightly damaged).

Former Minnesota farmer Oliver Hudson Kelley founds the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry (better known today as the Grange).

American Civil War: Sherman's March to the Sea

In the face of fierce opposition, British governor Lord William Bentinck issues a regulation declaring that all who abet suttee in India are guilty of culpable homicide.

The first edition of ''The Observer'', the world's first Sunday newspaper, is published.

At Fraunces Tavern in New York City, US General George Washington formally bids his officers farewell.

Charles Edward Stewart's army reaches Derby, its furthest point during the second Jacobite Rising.

Battle of Lund: A Danish army under the command of King Christian V of Denmark engages the Swedish army commanded by Field Marshal Simon Grundel-Helmfelt.

Father Jacques Marquette founds a mission on the shores of Lake Michigan to minister to the Illiniwek (the mission would later grow into the city of Chicago, Illinois).

38 colonists from Berkeley Parish in England disembark in Virginia and give thanks to God (this is considered by many to be the first Thanksgiving in the Americas).

The final session of the Council of Trent is held (it opened on December 13, 1545).

Kings Louis IX of France and Henry III of England agree to the Treaty of Paris, in which Henry renounces his claims to French-controlled territory on continental Europe (including Normandy) in exchange for Louis withdrawing his support for English rebels.

First Crusade: The Crusaders sack Sidon.

Austrasian King Carloman dies, leaving his brother Charlemagne King of the now complete Frankish Kingdom.

Martyrdom of Saint Barbara.