September 7 has witnessed a range of significant historical events that shaped nations and cultures. From royal births to declarations of independence, and from wartime struggles to cultural milestones, this date holds a unique place in the annals of time. What specific moments defined this day across centuries? Uncover the stories that mark September 7 as a remarkable date in global history.
History
Major Historical Events
1533 – Birth of Queen Elizabeth I: On this day, Elizabeth I, one of England’s most iconic monarchs, was born in Greenwich, England.
The daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, she would go on to rule from 1558 to 1603.
She presided over a golden age of English culture, exploration, and military success, including the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.
1776 – First Submarine Attack in History: During the American Revolutionary War, the Turtle, an early submarine designed by David Bushnell, attempted the first submarine attack against the British ship HMS Eagle in New York Harbor.
Although the mission failed to detonate the underwater explosive, it marked a significant moment in naval warfare history.
1822 – Brazil Declares Independence from Portugal: Dom Pedro I, the son of the Portuguese king, proclaimed Brazil’s independence on September 7, near the Ipiranga River.
This declaration, known as the “Cry of Ipiranga,” marked the beginning of Brazil’s journey as a sovereign nation after centuries of Portuguese colonial rule.
1940 – The Blitz Begins in London: During World War II, Nazi Germany launched a sustained bombing campaign against the United Kingdom, with the first major air raid striking London on this date.
Known as the Blitz, this campaign would last for months, targeting civilians and infrastructure in an attempt to weaken British resolve.
1977 – Panama Canal Treaty Signed: The United States and Panama signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, agreements that would eventually transfer control of the Panama Canal from the U.S. to Panama by the end of 1999.
This marked a significant shift in international relations and control over a crucial global trade route.
Famous Birthdays
1533 – Elizabeth I of England: Born on this day in Greenwich, Elizabeth I became one of the most influential monarchs in British history.
Her reign, known as the Elizabethan Era, saw the flourishing of English drama, led by playwrights like William Shakespeare, and the establishment of England as a major naval power.
1860 – Grandma Moses: Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, was born on September 7 in Greenwich, New York.
A self-taught folk artist, she began painting in her late 70s and became famous for her nostalgic depictions of rural American life, earning international acclaim.
1936 – Buddy Holly: The pioneering rock and roll musician Buddy Holly was born on this day in Lubbock, Texas.
Known for hits like “That’ll Be the Day” and “Peggy Sue,” Holly’s innovative style influenced countless artists before his tragic death in a plane crash in 1959 at the age of 22.
1963 – Eazy-E: Eric Lynn Wright, known professionally as Eazy-E, was born on September 7 in Compton, California.
A key figure in the development of gangsta rap, he co-founded the group N.W.A and played a major role in shaping West Coast hip-hop before his untimely death in 1995.
Notable Deaths
1566 – Suleiman the Magnificent: The longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Suleiman I, died on this day while on a military campaign in Hungary.
Under his rule, the empire reached the height of its power, expanding across three continents and fostering a golden age of art and architecture.
1892 – John Greenleaf Whittier: The American Quaker poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier passed away on September 7 in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire.
Known for works like “Snow-Bound,” he used his writing to advocate for the end of slavery in the United States.
1978 – Keith Moon: The legendary drummer of The Who, Keith Moon, died on this day in London at the age of 32 from a drug overdose.
Renowned for his wild energy and innovative drumming style, Moon left an indelible mark on rock music before his tragic passing.
Today in Music History
1957 – Sam Cooke Releases “You Send Me”: On this day, Sam Cooke released his debut single “You Send Me,” which would go on to become a massive hit, topping the Billboard R&B chart and reaching number one on the pop chart.
This song marked the beginning of Cooke’s rise as a soul music icon.
1976 – ABBA Dominates Charts with “Dancing Queen”: The Swedish pop group ABBA released “Dancing Queen” in the United States on September 7, following its earlier release in Europe.
The track became their only number-one hit in the U.S. and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.
1996 – Tupac Shakur Shot in Las Vegas: Rapper Tupac Shakur was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting on this day in Las Vegas, Nevada, following a Mike Tyson boxing match.
He succumbed to his injuries six days later, leaving behind a profound legacy in hip-hop music and culture.
Today in Sports History
1880 – First U.S. National Tennis Championships for Women: The inaugural U.S. National Tennis Championships for women took place on September 7 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.
Ellen Hansell became the first women’s singles champion, marking a historic moment in women’s sports.
1979 – ESPN Launches: On this day, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, better known as ESPN, aired for the first time.
Starting with a broadcast of “SportsCenter,” the network revolutionized sports media and became a cornerstone of global sports coverage.
2004 – Lance Armstrong Wins Record Sixth Tour de France: Although the race concluded earlier, on September 7, 2004, Lance Armstrong was officially recognized for his sixth consecutive Tour de France victory.
This achievement stood as a record at the time, though it was later tainted by doping allegations.
2013 – Tokyo Awarded 2020 Olympics: On this day, the International Olympic Committee announced that Tokyo, Japan, would host the 2020 Summer Olympics.
This decision marked the second time Tokyo would host the games, originally planned before the global pandemic caused a delay to 2021.
Today in Military and Naval History
1776 – Turtle Submarine Attack: As mentioned earlier, on September 7, the American Turtle, the world’s first submersible used in combat, attempted an attack on the British warship HMS Eagle during the Revolutionary War.
Though unsuccessful, it demonstrated the potential of underwater warfare.
1812 – Battle of Borodino Aftermath: On this day, following the massive Battle of Borodino, Napoleon’s French forces began their occupation of Moscow.
Though the Russian army under Mikhail Kutuzov had strategically withdrawn, this marked a turning point in the disastrous French invasion of Russia.
1940 – Blitz Begins with Naval Implications: The start of the Blitz on September 7 saw not only civilian targets but also British naval facilities and dockyards bombed by the Luftwaffe.
The intense bombing aimed to cripple Britain’s naval power and disrupt supply lines during World War II.
Today in Tech and Science History
1822 – First Use of the Term “Computer”: On this day, the term “computer” was first used in print to describe a human who performed calculations, appearing in a British publication.
This predates the modern concept of electronic computers by over a century.
1977 – Voyager 1 Takes Iconic Photograph: Although launched earlier, on September 7, NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft captured early images as part of its historic mission.
It would later take the famous “Pale Blue Dot” photo, but this date marks significant progress in its journey to explore the outer solar system.
1998 – Google Founded: On September 7, Larry Page and Sergey Brin officially incorporated Google as a company in Menlo Park, California.
What started as a research project at Stanford University grew into one of the most influential technology companies in the world.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1664 – New Amsterdam Becomes New York: While technically a political event, on this day, the cultural shift began as the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam was ceded to the English and renamed New York.
This laid the foundation for the city’s diverse cultural identity that thrives today.
1927 – First Electronic Television System Demonstrated: Philo Farnsworth successfully demonstrated the first fully electronic television system on September 7 in San Francisco.
This breakthrough paved the way for modern television, transforming global culture and entertainment.
1953 – “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” Premiere: Although Tennessee Williams’ play “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” premiered earlier in the year, on September 7, a significant production opened.
The play further cemented its status as a cultural touchstone and explored complex family dynamics, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
1978 – “Grease” Film Continues Cultural Impact: By September 7, the film adaptation of “Grease,” starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, was dominating box offices worldwide after its summer release.
Its nostalgic portrayal of 1950s youth culture became a lasting pop culture phenomenon.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1907 – Cunard Line’s Lusitania Sets Sail: On this day, the RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner, set out on its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York.
While later infamous for its sinking in 1915, its launch was celebrated with odd fanfare, including passengers reportedly betting on whether it would break speed records.
1936 – Last Thylacine Dies: On September 7, the last known Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, died in captivity at the Hobart Zoo in Tasmania, Australia.
Curiously, this extinct carnivorous marsupial was often misunderstood as a wolf-like creature, adding to its mystique and numerous unconfirmed sightings since.
1970 – World’s First Car-Powered Washing Machine: In a bizarre moment of innovation, on this day, a British inventor showcased a washing machine powered by a car engine at an exhibition.
Though impractical, it gained attention for its sheer oddity and highlighted the era’s fascination with unconventional engineering.
Today in History for Kids
1533 – A Queen is Born: On September 7, a very important baby named Elizabeth was born in England.
She grew up to be Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled for a long time and helped make England strong.
She loved plays and even had famous writers like Shakespeare during her time.
1776 – A Tiny Underwater Boat: Imagine a little boat that could go underwater!
On this day, a man named David Bushnell made the first submarine called the Turtle.
It tried to sneak up on a big ship during a war but didn’t quite work.
Still, it was a super cool idea.
1979 – A Sports TV Channel Starts: On September 7, a new TV channel called ESPN started showing sports all the time.
Now kids everywhere can watch games, highlights, and fun sports news whenever they want, thanks to this big idea.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? Oldest Submarine Attack: The Turtle’s mission on September 7, 1776, wasn’t just the first submarine attack—it was done by a single person, Ezra Lee, who had to crank the vessel by hand.
Talk about a tough job!
Did You Know? Google’s Garage Beginnings: When Google was founded on September 7, 1998, Larry Page and Sergey Brin started it in a friend’s garage.
From such a small start, it grew to help billions of people find information online every day.
Did You Know? Buddy Holly’s Glasses: Buddy Holly, born on this day in 1936, became famous for his music and his iconic black-rimmed glasses.
Those glasses weren’t just for style—they helped him see, and they started a trend for other musicians.
Did You Know? Grandma Moses’ Late Start: Grandma Moses, also born on September 7, didn’t start painting until she was almost 80 years old.
She proves it’s never too late to try something new and become amazing at it.
Did You Know? Blitz Blackout Rules: When the Blitz started on September 7, 1940, people in London had to cover their windows so no light could escape at night.
This was to make it harder for enemy planes to find their targets, and kids often helped by making sure no light peeked out.