Hawaii hosts the first Ironman Triathlon. Contestants have to swim 2.4 miles (3.86 km), bike 112 miles (180.25 km) and complete a marathon run measuring 26.2 miles (42.2 km).

The Space Shuttle takes off on its maiden flight. The “Enterprise” was mounted on a Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft; the first free flight took place on August 12, 1977

The first Church of Scientology is established. Despite many controversies, Scientology has gained thousands of members since its inception.

The Gestapo arrests German resistance fighter Sophie Scholl and other White Rose activists. 21-year-old student Scholl and her fellow campaigners were executed for having distributed flyers criticizing the Nazi regime.

Pluto is discovered. Clyde W. Tombaugh discovered the dwarf planet when sifting through photographs taken a month earlier.