Astronomers announce their discovery of the dwarf planet Eris.

The child protection portion of the Communications Decency Act is struck down by a U.S. federal court as too broad .

The Israeli Supreme Court acquits alleged Nazi death camp guard John Demjanjuk of all charges and he is set free.

The film ''Cry Freedom'' is seized by South African authorities.

Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi and President of Sri Lanka J. R. Jayawardene sign the Indo-Lankan Pact on ethnic issues.

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President of France François Mitterrand sign the agreement to build a tunnel under the English Channel (Eurotunnel).

A worldwide television audience of over 700 million people watch the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral in London.

In New York City, David Berkowitz (aka the "Son of Sam") kills one person and seriously wounds another in the first of a series of attacks.

During the fourth day of celebrating its 400th anniversary, the city of Caracas, Venezuela is shaken by an earthquake, leaving approximately 500 dead.

Vietnam War: off the coast of North Vietnam the {{USS|Forrestal|CV-59|6}} catches on fire in the worst U.S. naval disaster since World War II, killing 134.

Vietnam War: the first 4,000 101st Airborne Division paratroopers arrive in Vietnam, landing at Cam Ranh Bay.

First United States Congress elections in Hawaii as a state of the Union.

U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs into law the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which creates the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The International Atomic Energy Agency is established.

Olympic Games: 1948 Summer Olympics|The Games of the XIV Olympiad

The BBC Light Programme radio station is launched for mainstream light entertainment and music.

Tōngzhōu Incident: in Tōngzhōu (China), the East Hopei Army attacks Japanese troops and civilians.

Great Depression: in Washington, D.C., troops disperse the last of the "Bonus Army" of World War I veterans.

Adolf Hitler becomes leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party.

Construction of the Link River Dam begins as part of the Klamath Reclamation Project.

Sir Robert Baden Powell sets up the Brownsea Island Scout camp in Poole Harbour on the south coast of England. The camp runs from August 1 to August 9, 1907, and is regarded as the foundation of the Scouting movement.

The Socialist Party of America is founded.

In Italy, King Umberto I of Italy is assassinated by the anarchist Gaetano Bresci.

The First Hague Convention is signed.

American Civil War: Confederate spy Belle Boyd is arrested by Union troops and detained at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C..

United States and Japan sign the Harris Treaty.

Annibale de Gasparis discovers asteroid 15 Eunomia.

Great Famine (Ireland)|Irish Potato Famine: Tipperary Revolt

Cumberland School of Law is founded in Lebanon, Tennessee, United States, one of only 15 law schools to exist in the United States at the end of 1847.

Inauguration of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Abdication of Charles X of France.

John Graves Simcoe decides to build a fort and settlement at Toronto, having sailed into the bay there.

War of the Grand Alliance: Battle of Landen

Anglo-Spanish War (1585)|Anglo-Spanish War: Spanish Armada#Battle of Gravelines|Battle of Gravelines

James VI is crowned King of Scotland at Stirling.

The widowed Mary, Queen of Scots, marries Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, Duke of Albany, at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Ladejarl-Fairhair succession wars: Battle of Stiklestad

Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars: Battle of Kleidion