A truck bomb was detonated amidst a crowded Baghdad market area. The blast resulted in the death of 135 people and the injuring of more than 300.

A military coup in Paraguay overthrew dictator, Alfredo Stroessner, who had been in office for more than 35 years.

American actor and director, John Cassavetes, died at the age of 68. Although he was a highly successful actor he was geared far more towards directing. He was considered as one of the great directors of the 1970's.

Yasser Arafat was appointed as leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

American actress, Morgan Fairchild, was born in Texas. She became famous after staring in the hit television series, Dallas.

American film director, Michael Cimino, was born in New York City. He is most known for having directed the immensely successful movie, The Deer Hunter and the biggest commercial failure in the history of Hollywood, Heaven's Gate.

An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale hit New Zealand, killing 258 people.

American actor, Robert Earl Jones, was born in Mississippi. He was the father of movie star James Earl Jones.

American writer, Gertrude Stein, was born in Pennsylvania. She was an American, although she lived most of her life in France and was one of the most influential figures of modern art in the 20th century.

The first cheese factory was founded in Switzerland.

German composer, Felix Mendelssohn, was born in Hamburg,. He was one of the most famous German composers of the early Romantic period.