NASA scientists announced the discovery of a massive ice sheet depression in Wilkes Land, Antarctica, suggesting a possible large asteroid impact crater hidden beneath the ice.
📍 Wilkes Land, Antarctica
Paul Bowles, an influential American composer and author of *The Sheltering Sky*, died. He was a leading figure in mid-20th century expatriate literary and music circles in Tangier.
📍 Tangier, Morocco
François Mitterrand, who served as President of France from 1981 to 1995 and was the country’s longest-serving leader under the Fifth Republic, died. He shaped modern French politics and European integration.
📍 Paris, France
Arkady Chernyshev, Soviet ice hockey coach and legend who led the USSR to multiple world championships and Olympic gold medals, died. He helped shape the Soviet sports system.
📍 Moscow, Russia
Kim Jong-un, the third leader of North Korea’s ruling Kim dynasty, was born. His rule has been marked by nuclear development, isolationist policies, and high-profile summits with global leaders.
📍 Pyongyang, North Korea
The U.S. Department of Justice ordered the breakup of AT&T’s monopoly, leading to the creation of regional 'Baby Bells' and reshaping the American telecommunications industry.
📍 Washington, D.C., United States
Robert C. Weaver was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to become Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, making him the first African-American to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet.
📍 Washington, D.C., United States
Austrian-American economist Joseph Schumpeter, best known for his theories on innovation, entrepreneurship, and 'creative destruction,' died. His work remains highly influential in economic thought.
📍 Taconic, Connecticut, United States
David Bowie, the British artist whose musical innovation and alter egos like Ziggy Stardust reshaped pop and rock, was born. He remains one of the most influential figures in modern music.
📍 Brixton, London, United Kingdom
Stephen Hawking, one of the most renowned theoretical physicists, was born. Known for his work on black holes and *A Brief History of Time*, he became a global icon of science despite battling ALS.
📍 Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Yvette Mimieux, American actress best known for her performances in *The Time Machine* and other 1960s films, was born. She was also noted for her advocacy for better roles for women in Hollywood.
📍 Los Angeles, California, United States
Elvis Presley, the legendary American singer and actor known as the King of Rock and Roll, was born. His musical style and stage presence revolutionized global popular culture.
📍 Tupelo, Mississippi, United States
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City launched the first film library in the world, legitimizing cinema as an art form and preserving key works of film history.
📍 New York City, United States
The African National Congress (ANC) was founded to fight for the rights of Black South Africans under colonial rule. It later became the leading force against apartheid and the ruling party post-1994.
📍 Bloemfontein, South Africa
José Ferrer, acclaimed Puerto Rican actor and the first Hispanic performer to win an Academy Award for acting, was born. He was known for his role in *Cyrano de Bergerac*.
📍 San Juan, Puerto Rico
The United States Exploring Expedition, led by Charles Wilkes, departed to chart the Pacific Ocean, Antarctica, and islands. It significantly expanded scientific and geographic knowledge.
📍 Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Lawrence Alma-Tadema, a Dutch-born painter known for his romanticized depictions of classical antiquity, was born. His detailed scenes of ancient Rome and Greece became widely admired in Victorian England.
📍 Dronrijp, Netherlands
The United States, led by General Andrew Jackson, achieved a decisive victory over British forces in the Battle of New Orleans, boosting national pride despite the war having officially ended weeks earlier.
📍 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
George Washington delivered the first-ever State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress, establishing a tradition that continues annually in the U.S. presidency.
📍 New York City, United States
Galileo Galilei, the Italian astronomer, physicist, and polymath whose discoveries laid the groundwork for modern science, died. He challenged prevailing dogmas and supported heliocentrism.
📍 Arcetri, Grand Duchy of Tuscany (now Italy)