CNSA astronaut Zhai Zhigang becomes the first Chinese person to perform a spacewalk.
NASA launches the Dawn probe to the asteroid belt.
The Google internet search engine retroactively claims this date as its birthday.
The Battle of Kabul ends in a Taliban victory; an Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is established.
USAF Captain Milburn G. Apt becomes the first person to exceed Mach 3. Shortly thereafter, the Bell X-2 goes out of control and Captain Apt is killed.
World War II: The Kassel Mission results in the largest loss by a USAAF group on any mission during the war.
World War II: Last day of the Matanikau action on Guadalcanal as United States Marines barely escape after being surrounded by Japanese forces.
World War II: The Greek National Liberation Front is established with Georgios Siantos as acting leader.
The SS Patrick Henry is launched, becoming the first of more than 2,700 Liberty ships.
World War II: The Tripartite Pact is signed in Berlin by Germany, Japan and Italy.
The ocean liner Queen Elizabeth is launched in Glasgow.
The world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, is ceremonially opened with the engine Locomotion pulling wagons with coal and passengers from Shildon to Darlington to Stockton.
American Revolution: Lancaster, Pennsylvania becomes the capital of the United States for one day after Congress evacuates Philadelphia.
After the brief Gollub War, the Teutonic Knights sign the Treaty of Melno with Poland and Lithuania.