Russian president Boris Yeltsin triggers a constitutional crisis when he suspends parliament and scraps the constitution.
Armenia gains independence from the Soviet Union.
Belize is granted full independence from the United Kingdom.
Sandra Day O'Connor is unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate as the first female Supreme Court justice.
Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos begins authoritarian rule by declaring martial law.
Bahrain, Bhutan and Qatar join the United Nations.
The Gambia, Maldives and Singapore are admitted as members of the United Nations.
Malta gains independence from the United Kingdom, but remains in the Commonwealth.
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit is published for the first time. (September 22 is celebrated by some fans as Hobbit Day, however.)
French Revolution: The National Convention abolishes the monarchy.
American Revolutionary War: Benedict Arnold gives the British the plans to West Point.
The Treaty of Arras is promulgated, causing Burgundy to switch sides in the Hundred Years' War.