Mikhail Gorbachev was named head of the Supreme Soviet.

Brazilian superstar footballer, Pele, officially retired. His last match was a friendly between his first and last team, Santos and Cosmos. He played the first half for Cosmos and the second half for Santos.

Walt Disney World opened its door in Orlando, Florida, United States. The original, Disneyland, in California, was opened in 1955.

Television performer, Johnny Carson, began his amazing 30-year run as the host of the popular television show, The Tonight Show.

East and West Cameroon merged to become the Federal Republic of Cameroon.

Nigeria gained its independence from the United Kingdom.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created in the USA, in essence replacing the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).

American actor, Randy Quaid, was born in Texas, USA. He became famous by his starring in several of the National Lampoon's Vacation movies and got his big break when he participated in the hit movie Independence Day.

The People's Republic of China was declared by Mao Zedong.

The Nuremberg Trials come to a close with the sentencing of Nazi war criminals. The validity of the court has been questioned numerous times as the defendants were not allowed to appeal the decisions nor affect the selection of judges. It has also been argue that since the judges were appointed by the victors of the war they were not impartial and thus cannot be considered as a court in the true sense of the word.

Germany annexed the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia.

British actress and singer, Julie Andrews, was born in Surrey, England. She is considered as a legendary actress who became famous for her starring roles in the musical classics, Mary Poppins and The Sound Of Music.

The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, one of the most prestigious hotels in the world, was opened in New York city.

Irish actor, Sir Richard Harris, was born in Limerick, Ireland. He was one of the most famous and talented Irish actors of all time and a peer of fellow British actors Albert Finney, Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole.

American actor, Walter Matthau, was born in New York City. He is best remembered for his frequent collaborations with fellow actor and comedian Jack Lemmon, the most famous of which was that of the "Odd Couple".

Ukrainian pianist, Vladimir Horowitz, was born in Kiev, Ukraine. He is considered as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.

In the U.S. state of California, Stanford University, officially began enrolling students in its educational programmes.

American engineer, William Boeing, was born in Detroit, USA. He was an aviation pioneer and the founder of The Boeing Company.

Thomas Edison opened the first electric lamps factory.

The Siemens AG & Halske company was founded by German inventor and industrialist Werner von Siemens. It is today the world's largest conglomerate company.