An American Airlines passenger flight crashed north of Cali, Colombia, resulting in the death of all 160 onboard.

The United States invaded Panama in an effort to overthrow the government of Manuel Noriega.

Polish-born pianist, Arthur Rubinstein, died at the age of 95. He is widely considered as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th Century.

American politician, Richard J. Daley, died at the age of 74. He was one of the most influential political figures of America and was Mayor of Chicago for 21 years.

Spanish Prime Minister, Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco, was assassinated in Madrid. He was widely seen as the successor of dictator Francisco Franco. His assassination helped hasten Spain's move towards democracy.

American writer, John Steinbeck, died at the age of 66. He is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, having written such classics as, Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath. In 1962 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature.

Cypriot born singer, Anna Vissi, was born in Larnaca. She is one of the most successful Greek-Cypriot singers.

The Cheka, the first Soviet secret police, was founded by Vladimir Lenin.

South Carolina was the first state to secede from the United States towards forming the Confederate States of America.