Belarus declared its independence from the Soviet Union.
Source
A Japanese scientist, Shibasaburo Kitasato, isolated the bacterium of the Bubonic Plague.
Businessman Momofuku Ando marketed the first-ever pre-cooked instant noodles.
Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, the conquistador, founded Havana on the southern part of the island.
Captain James Cook set sail on his first voyage from Plymouth, heading for the Pacific Ocean.
Uruguay gained independence from Brazil, which is now celebrated as a National Holiday for Uruguayans.
