North Korea launches its controversial Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 rocket. The satellite passed over mainland Japan, which prompted an immediate reaction from the United Nations Security Council, as well as participating states of Six-party talks.

Two Libyans suspected of bringing down Pan Am flight 103 in 1988 are handed over for eventual trial in the Netherlands.

In Japan, the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge linking Shikoku with Honshū and costing about $3.8 billion USD, opens to traffic, becoming the largest suspension bridge in the world.

The Siege of Sarajevo begins when Serb paramilitaries murder peace protesters Suada Dilberovic and Olga Sucic on the Vrbanja Bridge.

Alberto Fujimori, president of Peru, dissolves the Peruvian congress by military force.

An ASA EMB 120 crashes in Brunswick, Georgia, killing all 23 aboard.

Three people are killed in the bombing of the La Belle Discothèque in West Berlin, Germany.

In the People's Republic of China, the April Fifth Movement leads to the Tiananmen incident.

In Sri Lanka, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna launches insurrection against the United Front government of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

Vietnam War: Massive antiwar demonstrations occur in many U.S. cities.

Ripple Rock, an underwater threat to navigation in the Seymour Narrows in Canada is destroyed in one of the largest non-nuclear controlled explosions of the time.

In India, Communists win the first elections in united Kerala and E.M.S. Namboodiripad is sworn in as the first chief minister.

In Sri Lanka, the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna win the general elections in a landslide and S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike is sworn in as the Prime Minister.

Fidel Castro declares himself at war with the President of Cuba.

Winston Churchill resigns as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom amid indications of failing health.

Ethel and Julius Rosenberg are sentenced to death for performing espionage for the Soviet Union.

A fire in a hospital in Effingham, Illinois, kills 77 people and leads to nationwide fire code improvements in the United States.

Fireside Theater debuts on television.

Soviet troops leave the island of Bornholm, Denmark after an 11 month occupation.

Cold War: Yugoslav leader Josip "Tito" Broz signs an agreement with the Soviet Union to allow "temporary entry of Soviet troops into Yugoslav territory".

World War II: 270 inhabitants of the Greek town of Kleisoura are executed by the Germans.

World War II: The Japanese Navy attacks Colombo in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Royal Navy cruisers {{HMS|Cornwall|56|6}} and {{HMS|Dorsetshire|40|6}} are sunk southwest of the island.

Tupelo-Gainesville tornado outbreak: An F5 tornado kills 233 in Tupelo, Mississippi.

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Executive Order 6102 "forbidding the Hoarding of Gold Coin, Gold Bullion, and Gold Certificates" by U.S. citizens.

Dominion of Newfoundland: 10,000 rioters seize the Colonial Building leading to the end of self-government.

Alcohol prohibition in Finland ends. Alcohol sales begin in Alko liquor stores.

In an act of civil disobedience, Mohandas Gandhi breaks British law after marching to the sea and making salt.

Firestone Tire and Rubber Company begins production of balloon-tires.

The first international rugby league match is played between England and an Other Nationalities team (Welsh & Scottish players) in Central Park, Wigan, England.

The Greco-Turkish War, also called "Thirty Days' War", is declared between Greece and the Ottoman Empire.

Chile declares war on Bolivia and Peru, starting the War of the Pacific.

Birkenhead Park, the first civic public park, is opened in Birkenhead.

American Civil War: The Battle of Yorktown begins.

In the Battle of Maipú, Chile's independence movement – led by Bernardo O'Higgins and José de San Martín

High Possil Meteorite: The first recorded meteorite in Scotland falls in Possil.

U.S. President George Washington exercises his authority to veto a bill, the first time this power is used in the United States.

The Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen discovers Easter Island.

The ''Mayflower'' sets sail from Plymouth, Massachusetts on a return trip to Great Britain.

In Virginia, Native American Pocahontas marries English colonist John Rolfe.

''Daimyo'' (Lord) of the Satsuma Domain in southern Kyūshū, Japan, completes his successful invasion of the Ryūkyū Kingdom in Okinawa.

Two-hundred Dutch noblemen, led by Hendrik van Brederode, force themselves into the presence of Margaret of Parma and present the Petition of Compromise, denouncing the Spanish Inquisition in the Netherlands. The Inquisition is suspended and a delegation is sent to Spain to petition Philip II.

Willen van Rubroeck, a Flemish Franciscan, meets the Mongolian Möngke Khan.

During a battle on the ice of Lake Peipus, Russian forces, led by Alexander Nevsky, rebuff an invasion attempt by the Teutonic Knights.

St. Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop.