Larry Page and Sergey Brin incorporate Google, which becomes the world's most widely used search engine.
The Zarya module is launched from Baikonur, beginning assembly of the multinational International Space Station.
President Bill Clinton announces the normalisation of diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
A peace agreement negotiated in Dayton, United States, is formally signed in Paris, ending the Bosnian War.
Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger launch Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia written collaboratively by volunteers.
Al-Qaeda hijackers attack New York and Washington with four airliners, killing nearly 3,000 people.
The North American Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico takes effect, creating one of the world's largest trade blocs.