The Italian mafia murder Giovanni Falcone. Falcone, a judge, was the mafia's most prominent adversary. After he, together with his wife and three bodyguards, fell victim to a car bomb, Falcone became a folk hero in Italy.

The Who release Tommy. The British rock band's fourth album is considered the first musical work of the rock opera genre.

Delegates of the Dalai Lama sign the Seventeen Point Agreement. The contract affirmed Chinese sovereignty over Tibet. According to Tibetan officials, the document was signed under duress and is, therefore, invalid.

The Federal Republic of Germany is established. The proclamation of the Grundgesetz, Germany's current constitution, marked the birth hour of the republic. The foundation of West Germany came four years after the demise of the Nazi regime and the end of World War II.

Siyyid `Alí Muḥammad Shírází founds Bábism. The Báb, as he called himself, created the religion which was a forerunner of the Bahá'í Faith. His teachings were seen as a threat by the Islamic clergy, and his followers were brutally persecuted by the Persian government.