Research into fossil footprints at White Sands National Park in New Mexico confirmed humans were in the Americas at least 21,000 years ago.
A Russian actress and a film director were launched into space to create the world's first film in orbit.
Banksy's famous 'Girl With Balloon' was sold for £1 million at an auction, then the piece automatically self-destructed by running through a shredder fitted into the frame.
California Governor Jerry Brown passed a bill to legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill persons.
Stephenie Meyer's vampire novel 'Twilight' was published.
The Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil was ratified.
Marc Garneau became the first Canadian to reach outer space.
AT&T was founded by Alexander Graham Bell, Gardiner Greene Hubbard, and Thomas Sanders.
Elton John's 7th album, 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,' was released.
The US Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) was founded.
The American romantic comedy 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' starring Audrey Hepburn, was released in the US.
Britain's R101 airship crashed in France on its maiden voyage.
During World War I, as a soldier, Adolf Hitler was injured by a grenade blast.
Notorious American outlaws, The Dalton Brothers, set out to rob two banks in Coffeyville, Kansas.
The Great Cyclone of Calcutta hit India and destroyed over half the city.
King Louis the Pious was crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by the Pope.
