Bolivia gained independence from Peru.
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Pittsburgh hosted the world's largest pinball tournament.
After being the first man to sail the world non-stop in the wrong direction, Chay Blyth returned to the UK.
A team of NASA scientists declared that the Martian ALH 84001 meteorite might contain traces of alien life.
Mount Tongariro in New Zealand erupted for the first time in 115 years.
Norwich University was founded in Vermont.