An earthquake hits El Salvador, killing more than 800.

Space Shuttle program: Endeavour heads for space for the third time as STS-54 launches from the Kennedy Space Center.

Japan apologizes for forcing Korean women into sexual slavery (Comfort women) during World War II.

Soviet Union military troops attack Lithuanian independence supporters in Vilnius. Killed 14 people and wounding 1000.

L. Douglas Wilder becomes the first elected African American governor as he takes office in Richmond, Virginia.

A month-long violent struggle begins in Aden, South Yemen between supporters of Ali Nasir Muhammad and Abdul Fattah Ismail, resulting in thousands of casualties.

A passenger train plunged into a ravine at Ethiopia, killing 428 in the worst railroad disaster in Africa.

Shortly after takeoff, Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737 jet crashes into Washington, DC's 14th Street Bridge and falls into the Potomac River, killing 78 including four motorists. Coincidentally, 30 minutes later, a Washington Metrorail train derails at the Federal Triangle station, on the orange and blue lines, killing three and injuring many more. Flight 90 also destroyed part of a Blue line track that ran next to the 14th street bridge. This gridlocked the city.

Seraphim is elected Archbishop of Athens and All Greece.

Prime Minister Kofi Busia and President Edward Akufo-Addo of Ghana are ousted in a bloodless military coup by Col. Ignatius Kutu Acheamphong.