In one of the fiercest post-war battles of the Iraq war US and Iraqi forces killed more than 300 suspected militants in Najaf, Iraq.

An Ecuadorian passenger jet crashed in the Andes mountains resulting in the death of 92 people.

American cartoon artist, Jerry Siegel, died at the age of 81. He was the co-creator of Superman.

The Challenger space shuttle exploded 73 seconds after lift-off, killing all 7 crew members.

U.S. Brigadier General James L. Dozier was rescued by Italian anti-terrorism personnel 42 days after he had been kidnapped by the Red Brigades.

American actor, Elijah Wood, was born in Iowa. He began acting at the age of nine and is best known for portraying the character of Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Russian dancer, Mikhail Baryshnikov, was born in Riga, Latvia. He was one of the leading Russian ballet dancers of the 1960's and 1970's who made headlines when he defected to the United States in 1974 where he continued to dance for the American Ballet Theatre.

Iceland was the first western country to legalize abortion. Abortions were legal in the Soviet Union since 1920.

American painter, Jackson Pollock, was born in Wyoming. He was one of the most influential abstract expressionist painters of the 20th century.

Polish pianist and conductor, Arthur Rubinstein, was born in Lodz, Poland. He is widely acknowledged as one of the most talented pianists of the 20th Century.

Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice, was first published in the United Kingdom.

Charlemagne died at the age of 72. Also known as Charles the Great he was the King of the Franks, who also conquered Italy. He is considered as having been the most influential and charismatic leader of the middle ages.