The largest peace demonstration in history takes place. Up to 30 million people in 600 cities around the world protested against the Iraq War.

The first draft of the human genome is published. The human genome contains the complete human genetic information.

The Soviet Union pulls out of Afghanistan. Despite their military superiority, the Soviet and Afghan armies did not succeed in breaking the Mujahideen insurgents' resistance.

The United Kingdom and Ireland decimalize their currencies. Before the change, a pound sterling was made up of 240 pence, or 20 shillings.

Canada adopts its current national flag showing a maple leaf. The leaf symbolizes the country's forests, the middle white stripe the arctic snow, and the red stripes the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.