On This Day in History

The current flag and coat of arms of Singapore (pictured) were adopted, six months after the island became self-governing within the British Empire.

American singer Elvis Presley's first television special and first live performance in seven years, Singer Presents ... Elvis, was broadcast by NBC.

With the Pakistani Air Force launching the unsuccessful pre-emptive airstrikes on several forward Indian Air Force airbases and radar installations, the 1971 India-Pakistan War begins and India also joins the Bangladesh Liberation War, siding with Bangladesh.

Jamaican reggae musician Bob Marley survived an assassination attempt by seven gunmen in Kingston.

Following the result of a two-day referendum, the current Constitution of Iran was adopted.

Eleven people were crushed in a human stampede at a concert by British rock band the Who in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.

Mary Robinson took office as the first female president of Ireland.

Sony released the PlayStation, the first computer entertainment platform to ship 100 million units.

NASA lost contact with the Mars Polar Lander moments before it reached the atmosphere of Mars and disappeared.

A suicide bombing in Mogadishu, Somalia, killed 25 people, including three ministers of the Transitional Federal Government.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (pictured) declares martial law.