The first Kmart department store opens in Garden City, Michigan selling a range of Clothes, shoes, housewares, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products, and electronics. Kmart went through a period of rapid expansion up to the early eighties but from the late 80's due to lack of investment in technology and increased competition from the growing Walmart and Target stores and change in customer tastes sales continued to decline. In 2005 following sales decline Kmart merged with Sears, Roebuck and Company.

Castro bans elections in Cuba saying "The revolution has no time for elections." and telling the 10,000's who attended the May Day Celebrations Cuba is a socialist country. He has also stated all Roman Catholic priests would be expelled and all Roman Catholic and private schools would be nationalised.