A five-day blizzard started in the south of England and killed 200 people.
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The Soviet spacecraft Sputnik 9 was launched into orbit.
Astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus recorded his first observation after witnessing a moon eclipse with a distant star.
Eminem signed up to the record label 'Aftermath Entertainment,' founded by Dr. Dre.
Bertha Landes became the first female mayor of a major city (Seattle) in the US.
The US record industry reported that for the first time since 1987, sales of vinyl records exceeded CD sales.
