The Space Shuttle Challenger explodes after liftoff. All all seven astronauts on board are killed.

The “Arab Spring” starts with the Yemeni Revolution as protesters demonstrate in Sana’a.

Boris Yeltsin makes an announcement that Russia will no longer target the United States with nuclear weapons.

The first Winter Olympics opens inaugurating the Winter Olympic Games.

James Marshall finds gold at Sutter’s Mill near Sacramento starting the California Gold Rush.

The Portuguese cruise ship, Santa Maria is hijacked by those wanting to wage war on dictator António de Oliveira Salazar.

The 1905 revolution starts with Bloody Sunday in Saint Petersburg.

Louis XVI of France is executed by guillotine after being found guilty of treason.

The envoy from the Church of England, Terry Waite, is kidnapped in Lebanon.