On this day in 1958, an F-104 Starfighter set a world speed record of 1,404.19 mph (2,259.82 km/h).
On this day in 1974, under project Smiling Buddha, India successfully detonated its first nuclear weapon, becoming the sixth nation to do so.
On this day in 1991, Northern Somalia declared independence from the rest of Somalia as the Republic of Somaliland, but was not recognized by the international community.
On this day in 1993, Danish police opened fire on civilians for the first time since WWII amid riots in Nørrebro, Copenhagen caused by the approval of the four Danish exceptions to the Maastricht Treaty referendum.