A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck central Ecuador, killing an estimated 5,000 people and leveling the city of Ambato and surrounding towns.

Mao Zedong proclaimed the People's Republic of China from the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing, ending decades of civil war.

Nathuram Godse, who shot Mahatma Gandhi in January 1948, was hanged at Ambala Central Jail along with co-conspirator Narayan Apte.

Round Table Conference negotiations in The Hague concluded, finalizing the terms for Dutch recognition of Indonesian sovereignty after a bitter independence struggle.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons, targeting human trafficking and forced prostitution worldwide.