Charles I of England dissolves Parliament starting the Eleven Years Tyranny in which there was no parliament.

The first census was begun in Britain.

Alexander Graham Bell makes the first successful telephone call by saying "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you."

Members of the Salvation Army land in the United States and begin operations.

Birthday of Terry Holmes International Rugby Star (b. Cardiff)

Birthday of Sharon Stone , actress

Birthday of Edward, Earl of Wessex

Death of Jimmy Wilde Boxer World Flyweight Champion

Death of Ray Milland , British actor, (b. 1907 Neath)

The Prince of Wales narrowly avoids death on the ski slopes of Switzerland in an avalanche which kills one of his closest friends

The Spice Girls, a British all-girl band, made pop music history by becoming the first group to top the charts with every one of their first four singles

Welsh rugby was rocked by news that the world famous Swansea RFC was to be put into administration

Death of Barry Sheene, motorbike racer, (b. 1950)