South Sudan gains independence and secedes from Sudan.
The African Union is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, replacing the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The organization's first chairman is Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa.
Greece becomes the first member state to join the European Economic Community by signing the Athens Agreement, which is later suspended in 1967 during the Greek junta.
The Russell–Einstein Manifesto calls for a reduction of the risk of nuclear warfare.
World War II: American forces take Saipan, bringing the Japanese archipelago within range of B-29 raids, and causing the downfall of the Tojo government.
World War II: Continuation War: Finland wins the Battle of Tali–Ihantala, the largest battle ever fought in northern Europe. The Red Army withdraws its troops from Ihantala and digs into a defensive position, thus ending the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk Offen...
World War II: The Allied invasion of Sicily begins, leading to the downfall of Mussolini and forcing Hitler to break off the Battle of Kursk.
The state of São Paulo revolts against the Brazilian Federal Government, starting the Constitutionalist Revolution.
Chiang Kai-shek accepts the post of commander-in-chief of the National Revolutionary Army, marking the beginning of the Northern Expedition to unite China under the rule of the Nationalist government.
Daniel Hale Williams, American heart surgeon, performs the first successful open-heart surgery in United States without anesthesia.
American Civil War: The Siege of Port Hudson ends in a Union victory and, along with the fall of Vicksburg five days earlier, gives the Union complete control of the Mississippi River.
U.S. President Zachary Taylor dies after eating raw fruit and iced milk; he is succeeded in office by Vice President Millard Fillmore.
Four hundred and seventy prominent Cypriots including Archbishop Kyprianos are executed in response to Cypriot aid to the Greek War of Independence.
Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord becomes the first Prime Minister of France.
Napoleon annexes the Kingdom of Holland as part of the First French Empire.
The second Treaty of Tilsit is signed between France and Prussia, ending the War of the Fourth Coalition.
Financier James Swan pays off the $2,024,899 US national debt that had been accrued during the American Revolution.
George Washington orders the Declaration of Independence to be read out to members of the Continental Army in Manhattan, while thousands of British troops on Staten Island prepare for the Battle of Long Island.
French victory in the Battle of Melle allows them to capture Ghent in the days after.