Pervez Musharraf declares emergency rule across Pakistan. He suspends the Constitution, imposes a State of Emergency, and fires the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

The United States of America imposes economic sanctions against Sudan in response to its human rights abuses of its own citizens and its material and political assistance to Islamic extremist groups across the Middle East and Eastern Africa.

Death of Abdullah Çatlı, leader of the Turkish ultra-nationalist organisation Grey Wolves in the Susurluk car-crash, which leads to the resignation of the Turkish Interior Minister, Mehmet Ağar (a leader of the True Path Party, DYP).

Sri Lankan Tamil mercenaries try to overthrow the Maldivian government. At President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's request, the Indian military suppresses the coup attempt within 24 hours.

The Federated States of Micronesia gain independence from the United States of America.

Iran-Contra Affair: The Lebanese magazine ''Ash-Shiraa'' reports that the United States has been secretly selling weapons to Iran in order to secure the release of seven American hostages held by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon.

The Salang tunnel fire in Afghanistan kills up to 2,000 people.

Greensboro massacre: Five members of the Communist Workers Party are shot dead and seven are wounded by a group of Klansmen and neo-Nazis during a "Death to the Klan" rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States.

Dominica gains its independence from the United Kingdom.

Mariner program: NASA launches the ''Mariner 10'' toward Mercury. On March 29, 1974, it becomes the first space probe to reach that planet.

Vietnam War: U.S. President Richard M. Nixon addresses the nation on television and radio, asking the "silent majority" to join him in solidarity on the Vietnam War effort and to support his policies.

Vietnam War: The Battle of Dak To begins.

Washington D.C. residents are able to vote in a presidential election for the first time.

Sputnik program: The Soviet Union launches ''Sputnik 2.'' On board is the first animal to enter orbit, a dog named Laika.

World War II: Two supreme commanders of the Slovak National Uprising, Generals Ján Golian and Rudolf Viest are captured, tortured and later executed by German forces.

World War II: 500 aircraft of the U.S. 8th Air Force devastate Wilhelmshafen harbor in Germany.

World War II: The Koli Point action begins during the Guadalcanal Campaign and ends on November 12.

World War II: Second Battle of El Alamein ends – German forces under Erwin Rommel are forced to retreat during the night.

underdog Maurice J. Tobin resoundingly defeats former governor and mayor James Michael Curley in a Boston mayoral election that shocks the political establishment.

George II of Greece regains his throne through a popular plebiscite.

Getúlio Dornelles Vargas becomes Head of the Provisional Government in Brazil after a bloodless coup on October 24.

Poland declares its independence from Russia.

Austria-Hungary enters into an armistice with the Allies, and the Habsburg-ruled empire dissolves.

The United States introduces an income tax.

Chevrolet officially enters the automobile market in competition with the Ford Model T.

Czar Nicholas II of Russia signs a document of amnesty for political prisoners.

With the encouragement of the United States, Panama separates from Colombia.

Coimbra Academic Association, the oldest students' union in Portugal, is founded.

American Old West: Self-described "Black Bart the poet" gets away with his last stagecoach robbery, but leaves an incriminating clue that eventually leads to his capture.

Garibaldi and his followers are defeated in the Battle of Mentana and fail to end the Pope's Temporal power in Rome (it would be achieved three years later).

A greatly revised Dutch constitution, drafted by Johan Rudolf Thorbecke, severely limiting the powers of the Dutch monarchy, and strengthening the powers of parliament and ministers, is proclaimed. This constitution is still in effect today.

''The Times of India,'' the world's largest circulated English language daily broadsheet newspaper is founded as ''The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce''.

The Bank of Montreal, Canada's oldest chartered bank, opens in Montreal, Quebec.

Napoleon's armies are defeated at Vyazma

French playwright, journalist and feminist Olympe de Gouges is guillotined.

The American Continental Army is disbanded.

John Austin, a highwayman, is the last person to be publicly hanged at London's Tyburn gallows.

Christopher Columbus first sights the island of Dominica in the Caribbean Sea.

Liège is sacked by Charles I of Burgundy's troops.

Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Muslim caliph, is martyred by a Persian slave in Medina.