• 1978: B.J Vorster steps down as Prime Minster.
• 1957: Passenger train & oil train crash in Gambar West Pakistan, 300 die.
• 1962: JFK authorized use of federal troops to integrate U of Mississippi
• 2000: World Heart Day is first celebrated.
• 2004: A manned private rocket ship SpaceShipOne, piloted by 62-year-old South African-born Michael Melvill, bursts through the Earth's atmosphere into space after a hair-raising ascent, putting it half-way towards winning a $10m prize aimed at spurring space tourism.

• 1903: John Koenakeefe Mohl, SA artist is born.
• 1952: "Lights Out" last airs on NBC-TV.
• 1959: Little Anthony & the Imperials record "Shimmy Shimmy Koko Bop".
• 1998: Nic Swanepoel (58), SA radio broadcaster and TV newsreader, dies in Johannesburg.
• 1890: 1st pro baseball game, NY Metropolitans beat Washington Nationals 4-2 in 5 innings at Polo Grounds in NYC.
• 1908: Calgary Rugby Football Union forms.
• 1963: Mickey Wright wins LPGA Mickey Wright Golf Invitational.
• 1992: Magic Johnson announces return to play basketball (he doesn't)