Deposed President of Iraq Saddam Hussein, convicted of the executions of 148 Iraqi Shiites, is executed by hanging.

Madrid Barajas International Airport is bombed.

Tropical Storm Zeta forms in the open Atlantic Ocean, tying the record for the latest tropical cyclone ever to form in the North Atlantic basin.

A fire in the República Cromagnon nightclub in Buenos Aires, Argentina kills 194.

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft recuses himself and his office from the Plame affair.

Rizal Day Bombings: A series of bombs explode in various places in Metro Manila, Philippines within a period of a few hours, killing 22 and injuring about a hundred.

In the worst incident in Algeria's insurgency, the Wilaya of Relizane massacres, 400 people from four villages are killed.

Proposed budget cuts by Benjamin Netanyahu spark protests from 250,000 workers who shut down services across Israel.

In the Indian state of Assam, a passenger train is bombed by Bodo separatists, killing 26.

Israel and the Vatican establish diplomatic relations.

In the 39th game of his 3rd NHL season Wayne Gretzky scores 5 goals giving him 50 on the year setting a new NHL record previously held by Maurice Richard and Mike Bossy who earlier had each scored 50 goals in 50 games.

For the second time, Ted Bundy escapes from his cell in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Vietnam War: The United States halts heavy bombing of North Vietnam.

Ferdinand Marcos becomes President of the Philippines.

The first ever NTSC color television sets go on sale for about USD $1,175 each from RCA.

The Cole Porter Broadway musical, Kiss Me, Kate (1,077 performances), opens at the New Century Theatre and becomes the first show to win the Best Musical Tony Award.

King Michael of Romania is forced to abdicate by the Soviet Union-backed Communist government of Romania.

King George II of Greece declares a regency, leaving the throne vacant.

Subhas Chandra Bose raises the flag of Indian independence at Port Blair.

California opens its first freeway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway.

The United Auto Workers union stages its first sit-down strike.

The Ginza Line, the first subway line in Asia, opens in Tokyo, Japan.

Edwin Hubble announces the existence of other galaxies.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is formed.

Lincoln's Inn in London admits its first female bar student.

The last coronation in Hungary is performed for King Charles IV and Queen Zita.

The All India Muslim League is founded in Dacca, East Bengal, British India Empire, which later laid down the foundations of Pakistan.

Former Governor Frank Steunenberg is assassinated near his home in Caldwell, Idaho.

A fire at the Iroquois Theater in Chicago, Illinois kills 600.

Natal annexes Zululand.

José Rizal is executed by firing squad in Manila.

The ''USS Monitor'' sinks off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

A dinner party is held inside a life-size model of an Iguanodon created by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and Sir Richard Owen in south London.

Gadsden Purchase: The United States buys land from Mexico to facilitate railroad building in the Southwest.

The Treaty of St. Louis is proclaimed.

Wars of the Roses: Battle of Wakefield.

Granada massacre: A Muslim mob storms the royal palace in Granada, crucifies Jewish vizier Joseph ibn Naghrela and massacres most of the Jewish population of the city.