Conan O'Brien ended his brief tenure as host of 'The Tonight Show' after accepting a $45 million buyout from NBC to leave the show after only seven months.
President Barack Obama ordered the terrorist detention center at Guantanamo Bay closed within a year and banned harsh interrogation of terror suspects. (The prison remains open.).
Jose Padilla, once accused of plotting with al-Qaida to blow up a radioactive 'dirty bomb,' was sentenced by a U.S. federal judge in Miami to more than 17 years in prison on terrorism conspiracy charges.
Eco Morales becomes Bolivia's first indigenous president. The left-wing politician has focused mainly on combating poverty and curbing the influence of transnational corporations.
The U.S. Supreme Court legalizes abortion. The liberalization effected by the Roe v. Wade decision entailed fierce resistance from the Pro-Life movement, but the Supreme Court has so far upheld the decision.
The Élysée Treaty formalizes the reconciliation between Germany and France. The treaty effectively ended centuries of enmity between the two European countries.
World record for fastest temperature change. The fastest temperature change recorded in history occurred on this day in Spearfish, South Dakota. The temperature increased from −4°F (−20°C) to +45°F (+7°C) in the span of two minutes.
In St Petersburg, Russia, a large demonstration of workers led by Father Gapon, march to the Winter Palace with a petition to the Tsar. troops fire on protesters in what becomes known as 'Bloody Sunday'
Battle of Rorke's Drift: British garrison of 150 holds off 3,000-4,000 Zulu warriors. Eleven Victoria Crosses and a number of other decorations were awarded to the defenders.
Prince William of Orange (future King William III of Britain), summons Convention Parliament to discuss ruling jointly with his wife Mary (daughter of exiled King James II).