The remake of the British science fiction series Doctor Who begins broadcasting on British television.

Vladimir Putin was elected president of Russia.

The "Melissa worm" virus, infects e-mail systems around the world.

Thirty-nine bodies were found in the Heaven's Gate cult suicides. The UFO cult's members committed suicide in order for their souls to join the space ship that was hiding behind the comet Hale-Bopp.

American engineer and businessman, David Packard, died at the age of 84. He was the cofounder of the Hewlett-Packard Corporation.

The treaty of Schengen came into effect. Under the terms of the treaty the signing countries have common immigration policies. The only countries of the European Union that didn't sign the treaty were the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. However the treaty was also signed by no EU members, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

The Biological Weapons Convention which bans the production of biological and toxic weapons comes into effect.

The soap opera "The Young and the Restless" debuted on the CBS channel. Till 2006 there have been over eight thousand episodes aired.

American basketball player, John Stockton, was born in Spokane, Washington. He was part of the Utah Jazz team for the whole of his professional career and is considered one of the best point guard players in the history of the NBA.

Canadian comedy actor, Martin Short, was born in Ontario, Canada.

American musician, Steven Tyler, was born in Yonkers, New York. He is the lead singer of the band Aerosmith. He was born under the name Stephen Victor Tallarico.

American singer, Diana Ross, was born in Detroit, Michigan. She has had 18 singles song reach the number one spot in the US charts.

Greek athlete, Spyros Louis, died at the age of 67. He won the Marathon run of the first modern-day Olympic Games.

Driving license tests are introduced in the Great Britain. Only Germany and France had already implemented such a decree.

American actor and director, Leonard Nimoy, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He is best known for playing the character Spock in the TV series Star Trek.

Economist, Xenophon Zolotas, was born in Athens. He served as Prime Minister of Greece during an interim government in 1989, when no political party was able to achieve a majority in parliament.

American poet, Walt Whitman, died at the age of 73. He is considered as one of the most prominent figures of American 19th century literature.

German composer, Ludwig van Beethoven, died at the age of 57. Even though he had began loosing his hearing at his early twenties, he was still able to produce his musical masterpieces.

A catastrophic earthquake destroys most of the city of Caracas, Venezuela.

The Act of Union goes into effect, uniting England and Scotland into the country of Great Britain.