The Soviet Union announced that all of its troops had left Afghanistan. The failed invasion had began on Christmas day 1979.

An oil drilling platform off the coast of Newfoundland sank during a severe storm resulting in the death of 84 workers.

A Dominican airlines passenger aircraft crashed into the sea after taking off from Santo Domingo, resulting in the death of 102 people.

American musician, Nat King Cole, died at the age of 45. He was a very popular musician from the 1930's up until his death.

A Sabena airways passenger flight crashed near Belgium, resulting in the death of 73 people, including the entire United States figure skating team.

British actress, Jane Seymour, was born in Hayes.

The Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China signed a mutual defence treaty.

During the course of the second world war the British colony of Singapore surrendered to the Japanese army.

British race car driver, Graham Hill, was born in London. He was one of the great motor racing champions of the 20th century, who had won the Formula One World Championship, the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He died in 1975 when his private aeroplane crashed in foggy weather.

An American battleship, the USS Maine, sank after it exploded in the harbour of Havana, Cuba. The incident claimed the lives of 260 crewmen and was one of the factors that led the United States to declare war on Spain.

American feminist, Susan B. Anthony, was born in Massachusetts. She was one of the leading figures in the efforts for women's suffrage in the United States.

German philosopher, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, died at the age of 51. He was one of the most prominent figures of the enlightment period.

The American city of St. Louis, Missouri was founded.