American author, Mickey Spillane, died at the age of 87. He was one of the most famous authors of crime novels in the 20th century and the creator of the famous detective character, Mike Hammer.

A tsunami triggered by an undersea earthquake destroyed several villages and killed more than 3000 people in Papua New, Guinea.

The F.W. Woolworth Company closed after 117 years in operation. It was one of the largest general retail store companies in the United States and although the name no longer exists in the United States, it has survived in several countries around the world.

A TWA passenger flight on route to Paris exploded off the coast of Long Island, New York, resulting in the death of all 230 people on board.

Canadian actor, Donald Sutherland, was born in New Brunswick. He has appeared in more than 150 movies during his 40 years as an actor.

Emperor Nicholas II of Russia as well as all members of his immediate family, and staff were executed on the orders of the Bolshevik Party.

The first issue of Punch magazine was published in London. Punch was a popular humor magazine which was published in England until 1992.

Scottish economist, Adam Smith, died at the age of 66. He is considered by many as the founder of modern day economics.

Catherine II became Tsar of Russia after the accidental death of her husband, Tsar Peter III of Russia. Though she was not descended from any previous Russian emperor she reigned for 34 years as empress and came to be known as Catherine the Great, due the age of prosperity and political power that characterised that period in Russia's history.

The armies of the fourth Crusade captured the city of Constantinople.