Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten publishes controversial cartoon. The Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published a controversial cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad. The publication led to riots and protests in many parts of the world.

Botswana becomes independent. Botswana gained independence from the United Kingdom.

Premier of The Flintstones. The animated series The Flintstones premiered on TV. It was set in the stone age and it detailed the lives of the Flintstone and Rubble families. It ran for 6 years until April 1 1966.

Berlin airlift ends. After 15 months of airlifting supplies to Berlin, the Berlin airlift led by American forces came to an end. The Berlin Blockade was an international crisis where the Soviet Union blocked access of Western countries into Berlin.

Battle of Madonna dell'Olmo begins. The battle was fought during the War of the Austrian Succession and ended with the Spanish and French victory over the Kingdom of Sardinia.