Riots erupt in Mombasa, Kenya, after Mwai Kibaki is declared the winner of the presidential election, triggering a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis.
The Romanian Revolution concludes, as the last minor street confrontations and stray shootings abruptly end in the country's capital, Bucharest.
Apollo program: Apollo 8 splashes down in the Pacific Ocean, ending the first orbital crewed mission to the Moon.
Indonesian National Revolution: The Netherlands officially recognizes Indonesian independence. End of the Dutch East Indies.
Regina Jonas is ordained as the first female rabbi in the history of Judaism.
Kern and Hammerstein's musical play Show Boat, considered to be the first true American musical play, opens at the Ziegfeld Theatre on Broadway.
Japanese aircraft carrier Hōshō becomes the first purpose-built aircraft carrier to be commissioned in the world.
Ukrainian War of Independence: The Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine occupies Yekaterinoslav and seizes seven airplanes from the UPRAF, establishing an Insurgent Air Fleet.
"Jana Gana Mana", the national anthem of India, is first sung in the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.
Ether anesthetic is used for childbirth for the first time by Dr. Crawford Long in Jefferson, Georgia.
War of 1812: The destruction of the schooner USS Carolina brings to an end Commodore Daniel Patterson's makeshift fleet, which 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 allows Portugal to export wines to England on favorable trade terms.
The Flushing Remonstrance articulates for the first time in North American history that freedom of religion is a fundamental right.
The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the conduct of settlers with regard to native Indians in the New World.