Israel launches 3-week operation on Gaza - Operation Cast Lead

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is assassinated in a shooting incident.

Radiation from an explosion on the magnetar SGR 1806-20 reaches Earth. It is the brightest extrasolar event known to have been witnessed on the planet.

Two truck bombs kill 72 and wound 200 at the pro-Moscow headquarters of the Chechen government in Grozny, Chechnya.

The People's Republic of China is granted permanent normal trade relations with the United States.

Protestant paramilitary leader Billy Wright is assassinated in Northern Ireland.

Taliban forces retake the strategic Bagram air base which solidifies their buffer zone around Kabul.

Palestinian guerrillas kill eighteen people inside Rome and Vienna airports.

Soviet Union invades Afghanistan

Spain becomes a democracy after 40 years of dictatorship.

Apollo Program: Apollo 8 splashes down in the Pacific Ocean, ending the first orbital manned mission to the Moon.

Indonesian National Revolution: The Netherlands officially recognizes Indonesian independence.

The World Bank was created with the signing of an agreement by 28 nations.

The Union of Pioneers of Yugoslavia is founded.

Erzincan, Turkey was hit by an earthquake.

Radio City Music Hall opened in New York City.

Namba Daisuke, a Japanese student, tries to assassinate the Prince Regent Hirohito.

Japanese aircraft carrier Hōshō becomes the first purpose built aircraft carrier to be commissioned in the world.

The Great Poland Uprising against the Germans begins.

Ether anesthetic is used for childbirth for the first time by Dr. Crawford Williamson Long in Jefferson, Georgia.

The worst ever avalanche in England occurs at Lewes, Sussex, killing 8 people.

Charles Darwin embarks on his journey aboard the HMS ''Beagle'', during which he will begin to formulate the theory of evolution.

Destruction of schooner Carolina, the last of Commodore Daniel Patterson's make-shift fleet that fought a series of delaying actions that contributed to Andrew Jackson's victory at the Battle of New Orleans.

Portugal and England sign the Methuen Treaty which gives preference to Portuguese imported wines into England.

The Flushing Remonstrance is signed.

The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the conduct of settlers with regards to native Indians in the New World.

The Hagia Sophia is completed.