Luxembourg becomes the first country to complete the move to all digital television broadcasting.

Beslan school hostage crisis commences when armed terrorists take children and adults hostage in Beslan in North Ossetia, Russia.

Uzbekistan declares independence from the Soviet Union

The Communist Labour Party of Turkey/Leninist is founded, following a split from the Communist Labour Party of Turkey.

A joint American–French expedition locates the wreckage of the {{RMS|Titanic}}.

Cold War: Korean Air Flight 007 is shot down by a Soviet Union jet fighter when the commercial aircraft enters Soviet airspace. All 269 on board die, including Congressman Lawrence McDonald.

The United States Air Force Space Command is founded.

Canada adopts the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as part of its Constitution.

A ''coup d'état'' in the Central African Republic overthrows President David Dacko.

Major General Chun Doo-hwan becomes president of South Korea, following the resignation of Choi Kyu-hah.

Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope ends in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The American space probe ''Pioneer 11'' becomes the first spacecraft to visit Saturn when it passes the planet at a distance of 21,000 km.

The ''SR-71 Blackbird'' sets (and holds) the record for flying from New York to London in the time of 1 hour, 54 minutes and 56.4 seconds.

In Reykjavík, Iceland, American Bobby Fischer beats Russian Boris Spassky and becomes the world chess champion.

Attempted assassination of King Hussein of Jordan by Palestinian guerrillas, who attacked his motorcade.

A revolution in Libya brings Muammar al-Gaddafi to power, which is later transferred to the People's Committees.

The Eritrean War of Independence officially begins with the shooting of the Ethiopian police by Hamid Idris Awate.

The United States, Australia and New Zealand sign a mutual defense pact, called the ANZUS Treaty.

Switzerland mobilizes its forces and the Swiss Parliament elects Henri Guisan to head the Swiss Army (an event that can happen only during war or mobilization).

The Wound Badge for Wehrmacht, SS, Kriegsmarine, and Luftwaffe soldiers is instituted. The final version of the Iron Cross is also instituted on this date.

George C. Marshall becomes Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

World War II: Nazi Germany invades Poland, beginning the war in Europe.

SMJK Sam Tet is founded by Father Fourgs from the St. Michael Church, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

Ahmet Zogu declares Albania to be a monarchy and proclaims himself king.

The Great Kantō earthquake devastates Tokyo and Yokohama, killing about 105,000 people.

The ''Fountain of Time'' opens as a tribute to the 100 years of peace between the United States and Great Britain following the Treaty of Ghent.

The last passenger pigeon, a female named Martha, dies in captivity in the Cincinnati Zoo.

St. Petersburg, Russia, changes its name to Petrograd.

The armored cruiser ''Georgios Averof'' is commissioned into the Greek Navy. It now serves as a museum ship.

The International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys is established.

Alberta and Saskatchewan join the Canadian confederation.

''A Trip to the Moon'', considered one of the first science fiction films, is released in France.

The Boston subway opens, becoming the first underground rapid transit system in North America.

More than 400 people die in the Great Hinckley Fire, a forest fire in Hinckley, Minnesota.

Emma Nutt becomes the world's first female telephone operator when she was recruited by Alexander Graham Bell to the Boston Telephone Dispatch Company.

A murder conviction effectively forces the violent Pennsylvanian Irish anti-owner coal miners, the "Molly Maguires", to disband.

Cetshwayo ascends to the throne as king of the Zulu nation following the death of his father Mpande.

Franco-Prussian War: the Battle of Sedan is fought, resulting in a decisive Prussian victory.

American Civil War: Confederate General John Bell Hood evacuates Atlanta, Georgia after a four-month siege by General Sherman.

American Civil War: Battle of Chantilly

Narcissa Whitman, one of the first English-speaking white women to settle west of the Rocky Mountains, arrives at Walla Walla, Washington.

Juno, one of the largest main belt asteroids, is discovered by German astronomer Karl Ludwig Harding.

The Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is founded in San Luis Obispo, California.

Catherine II of Russia endorses Ivan Betskoy's plans for a Foundling Home in Moscow

King Louis XIV of France dies after a reign of 72 years — the longest of any major European monarch.

Battle of Tippermuir: James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose defeats the Earl of Wemyss's Covenanters, reviving the Royalist cause.

Adi Granth, now known as Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhs, was first installed at Harmandir Sahib.

Lady Anne Boleyn is made Marchioness of Pembroke by her fiancé, King Henry VIII of England.

King Tvrtko I of Bosnia writes ''In castro nostro Vizoka vocatum'' from the old town of Visoki.

Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle.