Microsoft released the Windows Vista operating system.

Same sex marriages were legalized in Belgium. Belgium was the seccond country in the world to legalize them after the Netherlands did in 2001.

NBA superstar, Magic Johnson, played his first game for the Los Angeles Lakers after retiring in 1991 when he was diagnosed with the HIV virus.

British paratroopers killed fourteen roman catholic civil rights protesters in Northern Ireland.

King Abdullah II of Jordan was born in Amman. He is the son of the late King Hussein of Jordan.

Austrian automotive engineer, Ferdinand Porsche, died at the age of 75. He is is best remembered for his design of the original Volkswagen Beetle and for his contributions to advanced German tank design. He also founded the sports car manufacturing company with the same name.

British musician, Phil Collins, was born in London. He was one of the most popular musicians of the 1980's with a hugely successful carreer both as a solo artist and as a member of the group Genesis.

Indian political and spiritual leader, Mahatma Gandhi, was shot dead in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu radical.

Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney, was born in Nebraska.

British actress, Vanessa Redgrave, was born in London. She is a successful film and stage actress and the mother of fellow actress, Natasha Richardson.

Russian chess master, Boris Spassky, was born in Leningrad. In 1969 he became the world champion, a position he held for four years before loosing to Bobby Fischer.

American actor, Gene Hackman, was born in California. He decided to become an actor after his 30th year of age and was a close friend with Dustin Hoffman along with whom it is said was voted 'Least likely to succeed'.

British politician, John Profumo, was born in London. He is most remembered as having been the central person in the scandalous 'Profumo Affair' in 1963 which was one of the worst political scandals in 20th century Britain.

President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was born in upstate New York. He is the only US president to serve more than two terms in office and was the president of the United States during the Second World War.

The town of Yerba Buena in California was renamed to San Francisco.

King Charles I of England was beheaded.