In Long Island, New York, Colin Ferguson, pulled out his gun while inside a railroad cart and started shooting people at random. He murdered six people and injured another 19 others. He was wrestled to the ground by passengers of the train and was later sentenced to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.

An earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale, hit the city of Spitak in Armenia resulting in the death of aproximately 25,000 people.

Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, formally recognized the right of Israel to exist.

The last Apollo moon mission, Apollo 17, was launched. It was the sixth and last mission to land on the Moon (2006).

Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras lift mutual excommunications that had existed ever since 1054.

American basketball player, Larry Bird, was born in Indiana. He is considered as one of greatest basketball players of all time.

American enterpreneur, Richard Sears, was born in Minnesota. He was the co-founder of the 'Sears, Roebuck and Company' department stores.

Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution.

French, Marie Tussaud, was born in Strasbourg. She became famous for her wax sculptures and the wax museum she setup in London.

The Royal Opera House of London opened for the first time.