Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was captured near his home town of Tikrit.

Kofi Annan was elected as Secretary General of the United Nations. He replaces Boutros Boutros Gali when his re-election was vetoed by the United States, supposedly because of a UN report that had been published which criticized Israel's military actions in southern Lebanon.

Martial law was declared in Poland in an effort to curtail the efforts of Solidarity towards a more democratic state. Martial law lasted for 17 months during which period any pro democracy movements were banned and their leaders imprisoned.

The island nation of Malta became a republic. Previously it recognized Queen Elizabeth II of England as its Queen.

American actor, Steve Buscemi, was born in New York. He is most known for portraying neurotic and often paranoid characters on screen and has collaborated with some Holywood's most eccentric directors.

Russian artist, Wassily Kandinsky, died at the age of 78. He is one of the most famous artists of the 20th century.

In the course of World War II the countries of Hungary and Romania declared war on the United States.

Canadian actor, Christopher Plummer, was born in Toronto. He is widely considered as Canada's most talented stage and film actor.

American actor, Dick Van Dyke, was born in He is best remembered for his role as Bert in 1964's classic movie, 'Mary Poppins'.

Dutch explorer, Abel Janszoon Tasman, became the first European to reach New Zealand.