British musician, John Lennon, was murdered in New York City.

Rock band, The Eagles, released their 'Hotel California' album.

A United Airlines passenger flight crashed near Chicago's Midway Airport, resulting in the death of 45 people.

An Olympic Airways passenger flight crashed near Athens resulting in the death of 93 people.

Irish musician, Sinead O'Connor, was born in Dublin.

A Greek ferry boat, the Heraklion, sank outside the island of Milos. Of the 247 passengers only 47 were rescued.

American actress, Teri Hatcher, was born in Sunnyvale, California. She became famous for her role as Lois Lane in the television series Lois and Clark. She achieved stardom for starring in the highly successful television show, Desperate Housewives.

American actress, Kim Basinger, was born in Georgia, USA. She was a highly successful fashion model before she became an actress.

The United States declared war on Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Additionally China and the Netherlands also declared war on Japan upon the same day.

American actor, David Carradine, was born in Hollywood, California. He is best known for starring in the television series 'Kung Fu '.

Swiss actor, Maximilian Schell, was born in Vienna, Austria. He was a top name in Hollywood during the 1960's and 1970's, having stared in such movies as 'A Bridge Too Far'.

Mexican painter, Diego Rivera, was born in Mexico City. He was a famous cubist painter who received notoriety when in 1930 he was commissioned to paint a mural in the lobby of the Rockefeller Building. His mural depicted prominent communist figures along with the Founding Fathers of the United States, something which caused outrage and was destroyed before completion. He was also married to famed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, both of whom were staunch communists and supporters of exiled Soviet revolutionary, Leon Trotsky.

Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, was born in Hameenlinna, Finland. Considered by many to be a genius, he was one of the most popular composers of the late 19th and early 20th century.