A strong earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richtyer scale, occurred off the coast of Japan, resulting in a tsunami which caused massive destruction on the island of Okushiri as well as the death of more than 200 people.

The island nation of Kiribati declared its independence from Great Britain. The island nation is located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean.

Italian football player, Christian Vieri, was born in Bologna. Early in his life his family moved to Australia where he grew up.

A series of race related riots took place in Newark, New Jersey. The riots lasted six days and claimed the lives of 27 people.

The popular, Etch A Sketch, drawing toy went on sale for the first time.

British musician, Christine McVie, was born in Birmingham. She is famous for having been a member of the popular band Fleetwood Mac.

American comedian, Bill Cosby, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He starred in one of the 1980's most successful television shows, The Cosby Show. He was the highest paid entertainer in America for many years.

Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, was born in Parral. He was the winner of the 1971 Nobel Prize for literature and is considered as one of the greatest poets of all time. He was a left leaning ideologist and strong admirer of Russia's Joseph Stalin.

Italian painter and sculptor, Amedeo Modigliani, was born in Livorno. He is considered as one of the most original painters and sculptors of the 20th century.

American inventor, George Eastman, was born in Waterville, New York. He was the inventor of the roll film and the founder of the Eastman Kodak Corporation.

American writer, Henry David Thoreau, was born in Concord, Massachusetts. He is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential American philosophers of the 19th century. His most famous piece of work is the book, Walden, which is one of the most known books in American literary history.

The United States invaded Canada at Windsor, Ontario.