The UN officially observed International Migrants Day for the first time, recognizing the contributions and rights of over 280 million international migrants worldwide.
đź“Ť Global
Chris Farley, known for his high-energy comedic performances on Saturday Night Live and in films like 'Tommy Boy', died at age 33 from a drug overdose, shocking the entertainment world.
đź“Ť Chicago, Illinois, United States
The United Nations General Assembly formally adopted a resolution recognizing the rights and cultural integrity of indigenous peoples, laying the foundation for the later 2007 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
đź“Ť New York City, United States
The Arab League formally recognized the State of Palestine declared by the PLO, increasing diplomatic pressure on Israel and internationalizing the Palestinian statehood issue.
đź“Ť Algiers, Algeria
Under the Derg military regime, Ethiopia formally adopted Marxism-Leninism as its guiding political ideology, aligning itself more closely with the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
đź“Ť Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The World Health Organization announced the successful eradication of smallpox in Asia, part of the global campaign that led to complete eradication of the disease in 1980—the first and only human disease to be eradicated.
đź“Ť Geneva, Switzerland
The city of São Paulo inaugurated its first metro line, marking the beginning of one of Latin America’s most expansive urban transportation systems and transforming mobility in Brazil’s largest city.
đź“Ť SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil
Andrei Tupolev, famed Soviet aircraft designer whose name is synonymous with many Soviet-era bombers and civilian aircraft, died. His legacy includes foundational contributions to aerospace engineering.
đź“Ť Moscow, Soviet Union
NASA launched Syncom 1, the first experimental communications satellite intended for geosynchronous orbit. Though contact was lost shortly after launch, the program paved the way for modern satellite communication.
đź“Ť Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States
The Bantu Education Act came into effect in apartheid South Africa, enforcing racially segregated and inferior education for Black South Africans and institutionalizing educational inequality.
đź“Ť Pretoria, South Africa
France’s first nuclear reactor, Zoé, reached criticality at Fort de Châtillon, near Paris, marking the beginning of France’s development of nuclear energy and research capabilities.
📍 Châtillon, France
On his birthday, Joseph Stalin formally consolidated power as the undisputed leader of the Soviet Communist Party, setting the stage for decades of authoritarian rule and transformation of the USSR.
đź“Ť Moscow, Soviet Union
Virunga National Park was established in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, becoming the first national park on the African continent and a key conservation site for endangered species.
đź“Ť Virunga, Democratic Republic of the Congo
In a controversial decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal income tax law of 1894 was unconstitutional, delaying income tax implementation until the 16th Amendment was passed in 1913.
đź“Ť Washington, D.C., United States
American electrical engineer Edwin Armstrong, who invented frequency modulation (FM) radio technology, was born. His innovations significantly advanced telecommunications and broadcasting.
đź“Ť New York City, United States
Ty Cobb, one of baseball’s greatest players and an early Hall of Famer, was born. Known for his aggressive play and high batting average, he left a lasting legacy in American sports history.
đź“Ť Narrows, Georgia, United States
Paul Klee, a leading figure in modern art known for his innovative use of color and abstract forms, was born. His work bridged Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism and remains influential worldwide.
đź“Ť MĂĽnchenbuchsee, Switzerland
While the formal ratification came later, the initial version of the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery was approved in Congress, setting the groundwork for its final adoption after the Civil War.
đź“Ť Washington, D.C., United States
The first successful international telegraph message was sent via an undersea cable between England and France, marking a major milestone in global communication technology.
📍 Dover, United Kingdom – Calais, France
Antonio Stradivari, the Italian craftsman whose violins and string instruments remain unmatched in quality and value, died at age 93. His instruments are still revered by musicians and collectors today.
đź“Ť Cremona, Duchy of Milan (now Italy)