, in Dublin, Irish-English writer Jonathan Swift dies of a brain tumour. His most famous work is the novel Gulliver's Travels.

In 1812, Napoleon began withdrawing its troops from Moscow, which he unsuccessfully besieged. A year later in the "Battle of Nations" the joint army of Russia, Prussia and Austria defeated Napoleon's army.

In 1945 American actor John Lithgow is born.

In 1959 the first discotheque opens in Germany.

In 2003 Pope John Paul II beatifies Mother Theresa.

MUSIC HISTORY
1974 - Billy Preston is at No.1 on the American singles chart with 'Nothing From Nothing'.
1985 – Norwegian group A-Ha reign on the American singles chart with 'Take On Me'.
1996 – The Irish boy group Boyzone with the song 'Words' make their debut at the top of the British charts.
1996 – the best sold album is by the British group Simply Red and is entitled 'Greatest Hits'.

BORN ON THIS DAY
1944 – American soul singer George McCrae.
1944 - Peter Tosh, Jamaican musician and singer in the group The Wailers.
1972 - Michel Pras, singer in the group The Fugees.