The Airbus A380 takes to the skies for the first time. The double-deck airliner is the world's largest commercial jet.

South African citizens of all races are allowed to vote in a general election for the first time. The 1994 general election was held precisely 44 years after Apartheid was formalized by the government with the passing of the Group Areas Act.

For the first time in its 700-year history, the British House of Commons is presided over by a female Speaker. Betty Boothroyd served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1992 to 2000.

Sierra Leone becomes an independent republic. The West African country's first Prime Minister, Sir Milton Margai, ended over 150 years of British colonial rule.

Ludwig van Beethoven composes “Für Elise”. “Bagatelle No. 25” for solo piano is one of the German composer's most popular works and one of the most recognized melodies in the history of music.