Thousands die in the Tiananmen Square Massacre. Using assault rifles and tanks, Chinese troops massacred unarmed civilians who had taken part in pro-democracy protests.

Poland holds the first free elections after World War II. The landslide victory of the Polish trade union, “Solidarity”, marked the beginning of the Autumn of Nations, a wave of revolutions resulting in the fall of communism.

Bruce Springsteen releases Born in the U.S.A.. The album was Springsteen's most successful. It featured hits like “Born in the U.S.A.”, “Dancing in the Dark”, and “I'm on Fire”.

The first Pulitzer Prize is awarded. Every year, the prestigious award honors outstanding journalistic achievements. It was established with money bequeathed to Columbia University by publisher Joseph Pulitzer.

The Montgolfier brothers demonstrate the first hot air balloon. The flight of the Montgolfière lasted only about 10 minutes, but it secured the French inventors a place in the history books.