More than 1 million, mostly students take to the streets in France disrupting air, rail and bus travel in the largest nationwide protest over the "Contrat premiere embauche" (CPE - First Employment Contract or Beginning Workers Contract) which would make it much easier for workers under twenty-six years old to be fired. The main parts of the bill which caused protests included Allowed employers the opportunity to terminate employment of workers under twenty-six without any reason, with little or no notice, within their first two years of employment Night lab our being permitted for youths as young as 15 years old Suspension of family welfare in cases of students skipping school Possibility of manual lab our apprenticeship for 14-year-olds The bill was seen by many as a direct attack on younger workers but the government believed by easing these laws it would encourage companies to take on younger employees. The new "Contrat premiere embauche" CPE was scrapped by Chirac on April 10 under the pressure of ongoing protest and blockade throughout France.

Two of Turkey's largest cities change their names ( Constantinople and Angora ). The City of Constantinople is changed to Istanbul The City of Angora is changed to Ankara