1986 – The world's longest war ends without a single shot having been fired
The state of war between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly had been extended for a total of 335 years by the lack of a peace treaty. Some historians doubt that war had ever been declared.
1978 – Mir Akbar Khyber's assassination triggers a communist coup in Afghanistan
The Communists introduced a series of reforms, such as equal rights for women and universal education. These achievements were undone soon after by the outbreak of several wars.
1975 – Phnom Penh falls to the Khmer Rouge
The regime under “Brother number 1” Pol Pot tortured and killed several million people. Amongst the communists' perceived enemies were intellectuals, anyone with a connection to the former government, and several ethnic minorities.
1961 – A CIA-sponsored paramilitary group attempts to invade Cuba
The Bay of Pigs invasion was a failed attempt to overthrow the Cuban government. The United States government had ordered the CIA to plan Fidel Castro's overthrow.
1521 – Martin Luther faces charges for his revolutionary religious writings
The German monk was a leading figure of the Protestant Reformation. As a result of the hearing before the Diet of Worms, he was excommunicated and declared an outlaw.
1974 – Victoria Beckham
English singer, actress
1972 – Muttiah Muralitharan
Sri Lankan cricketer
1966 – Vikram
Indian actor, singer, producer
1964 – Maynard James Keenan
American singer-songwriter, producer
1734 – Taksin
Thai king
2014 – Gabriel García Márquez
Colombian author, journalist, Nobel Prize laureate
2014 – Karpal Singh
Malaysian politician
1988 – Louise Nevelson
American sculptor
1790 – Benjamin Franklin
American politician, scientist, publisher, 6th President of Pennsylvania
1680 – Kateri Tekakwitha
American saint
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