Saudi Arabian terrorist, founded al-Qaeda
American pianist, composer
American actress, producer
Zimbabwean politician, 2nd Prime Minister of Zimbabwe
American actor, martial artist
Greek bouzouki player, songwriter
American nurse, activist
French author, illustrator
English/Australian singer
American author
The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet, bringing an end to the First Punic War.
The USS Alliance under Captain Barry fights and wins the final naval battle of the American Revolutionary War off Cape Canaveral.
Alexander Graham Bell transmits the famous words “Mr. Watson, come here -- I want to see you” to his assistant, Thomas A. Watson, who was in the next-door room.
The US airforce's incendiary bombs cause a fire that kills around 100,000 Tokyo citizens in what was the most destructive bombing raid in history.
General Fulgencio Batista assumes power in Cuba after a coup. He would later be overthrown by rebels under the command of Che Guevara in 1959.
Fearing the abduction of the Dalai Lama by China, 300,000 Tibetans surround his palace, sparking a revolt that would come to be known as the Tibetan Uprising.
West African political leader El Hadj Umar Tall seizes the city of Segou, destroying the Bambara Empire of Mali.
The British Parliament passes the Home Rule Act, dividing Ireland into two parts. The act is rejected by the southern counties, where the Anglo-Irish war continues for a year.
The NASDAQ Composite stock market index peaks at 5132.52, signalling the beginning of the end of the dot-com boom. When the speculative bubble burst, many small investors were affected.