Annie Ernaux is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Jason Lewis completes the first human-powered circumnavigation of the Earth.
The first planet orbiting another sun, 51 Pegasi b, is discovered.
Space Shuttle Discovery is launched on STS-41, and deploys the Ulysses space probe to study the Sun's polar regions.
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat is murdered by Islamic extremists.
Pope John Paul II becomes the first pontiff to visit the White House.
The first prototype of the Mikoyan MiG-29, designated 9-01, makes its maiden flight.
Premier Hua Guofeng arrests the Gang of Four, ending the Cultural Revolution in China.
World War II: Units of the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps enter Czechoslovakia during the Battle of the Dukla Pass.
World War II: Thirteen civilians are burnt alive by a paramilitary group in Crete during the Nazi occupation of Greece.
World War II: American troops force the Japanese from their positions east of the Matanikau River during the Battle of Guadalcanal.
World War II: The Battle of Kock is the final combat of the September Campaign in Poland.
Revolution of 1934: The President of the autonomous government of Catalonia, Lluís Companys, proclaims the Catalan State with the support of the Worker's Alliance.
Opening of The Jazz Singer, the first prominent "talkie" movie.
Ukrainian War of Independence: The Starobilsk agreement is signed by representatives of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Makhnovshchina.
World War I: Combined Austro-Hungarian and German Central Powers, reinforced by the recently joined Bulgaria launched a new offensive against Serbia under command of August von Mackensen.
World War I: Entente forces land in Thessaloniki, to open the Macedonian front against the Central Powers.
Eleftherios Venizelos is elected Prime Minister of Greece for the first of seven times.
The High Court of Australia sits for the first time.
The execution of the 13 Martyrs of Arad after the Hungarian war of independence.