The Large Hadron Collider at CERN, described as the biggest scientific experiment in history is powered up in Geneva, Switzerland.

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan after seven years in exile, following a military coup in October 1999.

Anna Lindh, the foreign minister of Sweden, is fatally stabbed while shopping, and dies the following day.

Switzerland, traditionally a neutral country, joins the United Nations.

Charles Ingram cheats his way into winning one million pounds on a British version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro|Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire

Hamida Djandoubi, convicted of torture and murder, is the last person to be executed by guillotine in France.

A British Airways Hawker Siddeley Trident and an Inex-Adria DC-9 collide near Zagreb, Yugoslavia, killing 176.

Guinea-Bissau gains independence from Portugal.

The United States suffers its first loss of an international basketball game in a disputed match against the Soviet Union at Munich, Germany.

The people of Gibraltar vote to remain a British dependency rather than becoming part of Spain.

20 African-American students enter public schools in Alabama.

Italian Grand Prix, a crash causes the death of German Formula One driver Wolfgang von Trips and 13 spectators who are hit by his Ferrari.

World War II: German forces begin their occupation of Rome.

World War II: The British Army carries out an amphibious landing on Madagascar to re-launch Allied offensive operations in the Madagascar Campaign.

World War II: The submarine {{HMS|Oxley}} is mistakenly sunk by the submarine {{HMS|Triton|N15|6}} near Norway and becomes the Royal Navy's first loss.

World War II: Canada declares war on Nazi Germany, joining the Allies of World War II|Allies

The New York City Subway's third competing subway system, the municipally-owned ''IND'', is opened.

Austria and the Allies sign the Treaty of Saint-Germain recognizing the independence of Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.

Empress Elizabeth of Austria is assassinated by Luigi Lucheni.

Lattimer massacre: A sheriff's posse kills 20 unarmed immigrant miners in Pennsylvania, United States.

George Mary Searle discovers the asteroid 55 Pandora.

Elias Howe is granted a patent for the sewing machine.

Simón Bolívar is named President of Peru.

The United States defeats the British Fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

At the Battle of St. George's Caye, British Honduras defeats Spain.

American Revolutionary War: Nathan Hale volunteers to spy for the Continental Army.

John Smith is elected council president of Jamestown, Virginia.

The Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, the last full scale military confrontation between England and Scotland, resulting in a decisive victory for the forces of Edward VI.

An earthquake known as "The Lesser Judgment Day" hits Istanbul.

John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy is assassinated by adherents of the Dauphin, the future Charles VII of France.

The bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde.