Civil unrest in Ahmadabad, India resulted in the death of more than 50 people.

The final episode of M*A*S*H was broadcast in the USA. It was one of the most watched episodes in the history of television. The show had been in production since 1972.

A train crash in the underground station at Moorgate station of London resulted in the death of 43 people.

The hard rock musical group, KISS, was created. It was one of the most recognizable and successful hard rock bands in history.

American actor, John Turturro, was born in New York.

The naval battle of Sunda Strait took place during the course of the second world war between allied naval vessels and the Imperial Japanese navy. The allies suffered a major defeat in the engagement.

American race car driver, Mario Andretti, was born in Montona d'Istria, Italy. He was one of the most successful Americans in the history of auto racing. He is the only race car driver to have ever won the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500, and the Formula One World Championship.

Nylon was discovered by Gerard J. Berchet of the 'Wallace Carothers' research group at the DuPont company.

American writer, Henry James, died at the age of 72. Although he was born in the United States he spent most of his life in Europe and towards the end of his life had become a British citizen. He wrote a multitude of novels, of which the most known remains, 'The Portrait of a Lady'.

American gangster, Bugsy Siegel, was born in New York. He was a childhood friend of gangster Meyer Lansky and a close associate of mob boss Charles 'Lucky' Luciano. He is also credited as the man who pioneered the development of Las Vegas as the gambling capital of the United States.

The Republican Party of the United States was founded.