December 7 holds a significant place in history with events that have shaped the world. From the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which altered the course of World War II, to Delaware’s pioneering ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, this date brims with pivotal moments. What other remarkable occurrences mark this day? Uncover the layers of history waiting to be explored.
History
Major Historical Events
1941 – Attack on Pearl Harbor: On this day, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise military strike against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, leading to the U.S. entry into World War II.
The attack resulted in the deaths of over 2,400 Americans and damaged numerous ships and aircraft.
It marked a pivotal moment in global history.
1787 – Delaware Ratifies the U.S. Constitution: Delaware became the first state to ratify the United States Constitution on this date.
This earned it the nickname “The First State.”
The ratification was a critical step in establishing the framework for the new American government.
1972 – Apollo 17 Launch: NASA’s Apollo 17 mission, the final manned mission to the Moon, was launched on December 7.
Astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt became the last humans to walk on the lunar surface during this historic mission.
1988 – Spitak Earthquake in Armenia: A devastating earthquake struck the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, centered near the town of Spitak.
Measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, it killed at least 25,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless.
It marked one of the deadliest natural disasters of the 20th century.
2004 – Hamid Karzai Inaugurated as President of Afghanistan: Hamid Karzai was sworn in as the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan on this day.
This followed years of conflict and the fall of the Taliban regime.
It symbolized a new era of hope for the nation.
Famous Birthdays
1873 – Willa Cather: American novelist Willa Cather was born on this day in Gore, Virginia.
Known for her works depicting life on the Great Plains, such as “O Pioneers!” and “My Ántonia,” she became a celebrated figure in American literature.
1949 – Tom Waits: Singer-songwriter and actor Tom Waits was born in Pomona, California, on December 7.
Renowned for his gravelly voice and eclectic style blending blues, jazz, and folk, Waits has left a lasting impact on music and film.
1956 – Larry Bird: Basketball legend Larry Bird was born on this day in West Baden Springs, Indiana.
A key figure in the NBA during the 1980s, Bird led the Boston Celtics to multiple championships and is regarded as one of the greatest players in basketball history.
1988 – Emily Browning: Australian actress Emily Browning was born on December 7 in Melbourne.
She gained international recognition for roles in films like “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” and “Sucker Punch,” showcasing her versatile talent.
Notable Deaths
43 BC – Cicero: Roman statesman, lawyer, and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero was executed on this day during the proscriptions of the Second Triumvirate.
Known for his influential writings on rhetoric and philosophy, his death marked the end of an era in Roman politics.
1817 – William Bligh: British naval officer William Bligh, infamous for the mutiny on the HMS Bounty, passed away on December 7 in London.
Despite the mutiny, Bligh had a distinguished career and later served as Governor of New South Wales.
1985 – Robert Graves: British poet, novelist, and scholar Robert Graves died on this day in Deià, Mallorca, Spain.
Best known for his historical novel “I, Claudius,” Graves was a significant literary figure of the 20th century.
2016 – Greg Lake: English musician Greg Lake, a founding member of progressive rock bands King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, passed away on December 7.
His contributions to music, including the hit “Lucky Man,” remain influential.
2020 – Chuck Yeager: American aviator Chuck Yeager, the first pilot to break the sound barrier in 1947, died on this day at the age of 97.
His pioneering achievements in aviation continue to inspire generations.
Today in Music History
1963 – The Beatles Appear on “Juke Box Jury”: On this day, The Beatles made their first appearance on the BBC television show “Juke Box Jury,” a popular music panel program in the UK.
Their charismatic presence further boosted their growing fame during the height of Beatlemania.
1974 – Carl Douglas Tops the Charts with “Kung Fu Fighting”: Carl Douglas’s novelty hit “Kung Fu Fighting” reached number one on the UK Singles Chart on December 7.
The song became a global phenomenon, reflecting the era’s fascination with martial arts culture.
1991 – U2’s “Achtung Baby” Hits the Top Spot: U2’s groundbreaking album “Achtung Baby” reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart on this day.
Featuring hits like “One” and “Mysterious Ways,” it marked a bold reinvention for the band.
Today in Sports History
1939 – Lou Gehrig Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame: On December 7, Lou Gehrig, the legendary New York Yankees first baseman, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Known as the “Iron Horse” for his durability, his career was tragically cut short by ALS, later named Lou Gehrig’s Disease in his honor.
1973 – Gerald Ford Sworn in as Vice President (Sports Connection): While not directly a sports event, Gerald Ford, a former college football star at the University of Michigan, was sworn in as Vice President of the United States on this day.
His athletic background often shaped his public persona.
2005 – David Beckham Becomes UNICEF Ambassador: Soccer icon David Beckham was named a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF on December 7, using his global platform to advocate for children’s rights and sports programs worldwide.
2017 – Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Fifth Ballon d’Or: On this day, Portuguese soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo won his fifth Ballon d’Or, tying Lionel Messi for the most awards at the time.
This achievement solidified his status as one of the greatest footballers in history.
Today in Military and Naval History
1941 – Pearl Harbor Attack: As previously mentioned, the surprise attack by Japanese forces on Pearl Harbor on December 7 led to significant loss of life and damage to the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
This prompted America’s declaration of war against Japan the following day.
1917 – U.S. Declares War on Austria-Hungary: On this day during World War I, the United States officially declared war on Austria-Hungary.
This expanded its involvement in the global conflict alongside the Allied Powers.
1944 – USS Ward Sunk in WWII: The USS Ward, the first U.S. ship to fire on a Japanese vessel at Pearl Harbor in 1941, was sunk by a kamikaze attack on December 7 near Leyte in the Philippines.
This marked a tragic full circle for the historic ship.
Today in Tech and Science History
1972 – Apollo 17’s Iconic “Blue Marble” Photograph: During the Apollo 17 mission, launched on this day, astronauts captured the famous “Blue Marble” photograph.
This is one of the most widely reproduced images of Earth, showing the planet in stunning detail from space.
1995 – Galileo Probe Enters Jupiter’s Atmosphere: On December 7, NASA’s Galileo spacecraft released a probe that successfully entered Jupiter’s atmosphere.
It sent back valuable data about the gas giant’s composition and weather patterns.
2004 – IBM Sells PC Business to Lenovo: IBM announced the sale of its personal computer division to Lenovo on this day.
This marked a significant shift in the tech industry as the Chinese company took over the iconic ThinkPad brand.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1926 – Gas Refrigerator Patented: On December 7, a patent for the gas refrigerator was awarded to Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard.
This showcased how scientific minds ventured into practical inventions beyond their primary fields.
1965 – Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I Meet: In a historic cultural and religious moment, Pope Paul VI and Orthodox Patriarch Athenagoras I met on this day in Jerusalem.
They lifted mutual excommunications from the Great Schism of 1054 and fostered dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
1982 – “The Executioner’s Song” Wins Pulitzer: While published earlier, Norman Mailer’s novel “The Executioner’s Song” was recognized in cultural discussions on this day in 1982.
It had won the Pulitzer Prize for its gripping true-crime narrative.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1979 – “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” Premieres: On December 7, the first “Star Trek” feature film premiered in Washington, D.C.
While a cultural milestone, early reviews noted its slow pacing, earning it the nickname “The Motionless Picture” among some fans.
1987 – Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant Humor: On this day, a tragic mid-air collision involving Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 occurred.
Prior to this, the airline was known for its humorous in-flight announcements, a quirky cultural detail of the era often remembered by frequent flyers.
Today in History for Kids
1787 – Delaware Becomes the First State: Kids, did you know that on December 7, Delaware became the very first state to join the United States by agreeing to the Constitution?
That’s why it’s called “The First State.”
It helped start the country we recognize today.
1941 – Pearl Harbor Day: On this day, a big surprise attack happened at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, where many ships and planes were damaged.
It was a sad day that led the United States to join a huge war called World War II to help make the world safe again.
1972 – Last Trip to the Moon: Imagine being the last person to walk on the Moon!
On December 7, the Apollo 17 spaceship took off for the Moon.
The astronauts who walked there are still the last ones to do it.
Isn’t that cool?
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1941 – Pearl Harbor’s Unknown Heroics: During the Pearl Harbor attack on this day, a lesser-known story is that of Doris “Dorie” Miller.
He was a Navy cook who manned a machine gun despite having no formal training.
He became one of the first African Americans to be awarded the Navy Cross for bravery.
1988 – Earthquake Prediction Challenges: The devastating Spitak Earthquake on December 7 in Armenia highlighted how difficult it is to predict earthquakes.
Scientists at the time had no warning of the disaster.
This spurred renewed efforts in seismic research.
2007 – First iPhone Rumors Solidify: While not officially announced until January, on December 7, tech blogs and insiders began solidifying rumors of Apple’s first iPhone.
This device would soon revolutionize communication and technology worldwide.
2019 – Oldest Cave Art Discovery Announced: On this day, researchers announced the discovery of what may be the world’s oldest cave art in Indonesia.
It dates back over 44,000 years.
It offers a fascinating glimpse into early human storytelling through images of hunting scenes.