Three simultaneous bomb explosions took place aboard three different trains in the Madrid commuter train station resulting in the death of 192 and the wounding of more than 1700.

The International Criminal Court was founded in The Hague.

Lithuania declared itself independent from the Soviet Union.

Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union.

Palestinian, Al Fatah, guerrillas hijacked a bus in Israel, killing 34 civilians and wounding more than 60 others before being killed by Israeli forces.

More than 120 people were taken hostage in Washington DC by a group of orthodox Muslim terrorists as a protest about the depiction of the prophet Mohammad in US media.

American novelist, Erle Stanley Gardner, died at the age of 80. He was the writer of several popular detective novels during the first part of the 20th century. He was a lawyer who wrote novels as a hobby.

Canadian actor, Elias Koteas, was born in Montreal.

Scottish biologist, Alexander Fleming, died at the age of 73. He is most known for his discovery of the antibiotic penicillin for which he received the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1945.

American film producer and director, Jerry Zucker, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is most known for his production of the hit spoof comedies, Airplane and Top Secret.

Australian born publishing mogul, Rupert Murdoch, was born in Melbourne. He is one of the world's richest man who controls a vast empire of media businesses including The Times and the New York Post newspapers.

In New York City, Samuel Roxy Rothafel opens the Roxy Theatre.

The first ever performance of Verdi's opera, Don Carlos, took place in Paris.

The first ever performance of Verdi's opera, Rigoletto, took place at La Fenice in Venice.

Emperor, Paul I of Russia was assassinated.

The first daily English language newspaper, The Daily Courant, was published in London. The paper lasted until 1735.