Spain decreed the Laws of Burgos, the first set of laws that attempted to govern Spaniards abroad in the Americas.
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The Hawaiian Fire Department was established.
Between 20,000 and 40,000 people died in a magnitude eight earthquake in Erzincan, Turkey.
Benazir Bhutto was assassinated.
Radiation from an explosion on the magnetar SGR 1806-20 reached Earth.
Leonard Cohen released his debut album 'Songs of Leonard Cohen' through Columbia Records.