East German authorities begin erecting barriers, later a wall, sealing off West Berlin from East Berlin, a defining symbol of the Cold War.
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbits the Earth aboard Vostok 1, becoming the first human in space.
Pope John XXIII opens the Second Vatican Council, which brings sweeping reforms to the Catholic Church.
Valentina Tereshkova flies into orbit aboard Vostok 6, becoming the first woman in space.
Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands sign the treaty creating the European Economic Community, forerunner of the European Union.
Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill dies in London and is given a state funeral.
A nationwide uprising against Hungary's Soviet-backed government is crushed by Soviet forces.