1998
Six astronauts became the first visitors to enter the new international space station. (The first resident crew entered in November 2000).
1996
South African President Nelson Mandela signed a new democratic constitution, formally ending white-minority rule
1984
South African Anglican bishop Desmond Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at a ceremony in Oslo, Norway
South Africa
1983
Polish Solidarity leader Lech Walesa’s wife Danuta accepted his Nobel Peace Prize on his behalf.
Poland
1983
Argentina returned to democracy after seven years of military rule .
1978
Menachem Begin, Prime Minister of Israel and Anwar al-Sadat, President of Egypt were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Iceland
1968
The ‘300 million yen robbery’, the biggest robbery in Japanese history, occurred in Tokyo (remains unsolved).
Japan
1958
The first domestic passenger jet flight in the USA took place, flying from New York City to Miami.
1948
The United Nations General Assembly adopted its Universal Declaration on Human Rights.
Greenland
1946
Death of Damon Runyon, American writer
1928
Death of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, British architect and designer .
1909
Birth of Hermes Pan, American dancer and choreographer, noted for his work with Fred Astaire in choreographing movie dance sequences
1908
Birth of Olivier Messiaen, French composer, organist and ornithologist .
1907
Rudyard Kipling awarded Nobel prize for Literature.
Great Britain
1282
Llewellyn, last native Prince of Wales, killed
Great Britain