A 6.9 earthquake in Spitak, Armenia, killed 25,000-50,000 people and left up to 500,000 homeless.
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Delaware became the first state to ratify the US constitution.
Jack Fingleton, an Australian cricketer, became the first batsman to score 100 runs in four consecutive test matches.
A ban on diesel cars was called for in France.
The Royal Opera House opened at Covent Garden, London, England.
Inventor Leo Baekeland patented the first thermosetting plastic, Bakelite, which sparked the birth of the plastics industry.
