Palestinian militant, Abu Abbas, died at the age of 51. He was the founder of the Palestine Liberation Front militant group. He died one day after he was captured by American forces in Iraq.

American baseball player, Joe DiMaggio, died at the age of 84. He was one of the most celebrated baseball players of all time, who is also remembered for his high profile wedding to celebrity superstar, Marilyn Monroe.

The main airport of Paris, France, Charles de Gaulle Airport, was officially opened.

American boxer, Joe Frazier, defeated Muhammad Ali in the first of a three bout series. It was Muhammad Ali's first ever defeat.

American actor, Harold Lloyd, died at the age of 77. Along with Charlie Chaplin he is considered as one of the most influential and popular comedians of the silent films era.

The first American combat troops arrived in Vietnam.

English conductor, Thomas Beecham, died at the age of 81. He was one of the most influential figures of the classical music scene of Britain. He founded several British orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

American actor, Aidan Quinn, was born in Rockford, Illinois. He is most known for his participation in the hit films, Michael Collins and Legends of the Fall.

The Suez Canal was re-opened after it had been closed during the events of the Suez Canal Crisis in October of the previous year.

The first case of Spanish flu was recorded. It was the beginning of a pandemic which according to various sources killed more than 90 million people around the world. It was called Spanish flu only because it had received more media attention in Spain, which at the time was not involved in the First World War.

Women's Day was celebrated for the first time.

German chemist, Otto Hahn, was born in Frankfurt. He was one of the pioneers of nuclear chemistry and the recipient of the 1944 Nobel prize for chemistry.

French composer, Hector Berlioz, died at the age of 65. He was a famous French romantic composer best known for the Symphonie fantastique.