On This Day in History

An armistice was signed (pictured) to end hostilities in the Korean War, officially making the division of Korea indefinite by creating a 4 km wide (2.5 mi) demilitarized zone across the Korean Peninsula.

After straying into Bulgarian airspace, El Al Flight 402 was shot down by two MiG-15 fighter jets, resulting in the deaths of all 58 on board.

The Austrian State Treaty came into effect, ending the Allied occupation of Austria, although the country was not free of Allied troops until October.

Mattachine Midwest, a gay rights organization in Chicago, held its first meeting.

American musician Madonna released her self-titled debut album, which set the standard for the genre of dance-pop for decades.

Jamaat al Muslimeen, a radical Islamic group, began a coup attempt against the government of Trinidad and Tobago by taking hostages, including Prime Minister A. N. R. Robinson, before surrendering five days later.

While covering a police pursuit in Phoenix, Arizona, two news helicopters collided in mid-air, killing both crews.

Police in Tokyo found the mummified remains of Sogen Kato, thought to have died in 1978, leading to widespread inquiries into the status of isolated elderly people in Japan.

The last nine Aston Martin DB9 units rolled off the production line, marking the end of a twelve-year manufacturing period.

A major oil spill from the Colonial Pipeline was discovered in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (system map pictured).