1993 Gunmen in Costa Rica free 18 Supreme Court justices they had held hostage for four days. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II announces that, for the first time, Buckingham Palace will be opened to tourists to help raise money for repairs at fire-damaged Windsor Castle. 1994 South Africa's first democratic elections end after an extra day of balloting intended to overcome delays and confusion. In Sri Lanka, Tamil rebels down a military jet with a missile, killing 52 people and escalating their 12-year war for a homeland. An explosion in an underground weapons depot in a remote central Albanian village kills 27 people and destroys nearby homes.
Brazil announces an unprecedented plan to protect an area of Amazon forest half the size of France.
Israelis begin marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of their country. NATO warplanes accidentally strike a home in Bulgaria during bombing runs over Serbia and Montenegro. The Age Company Ltd 2001. Any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.