On This Day in History – December 7

Major Events

• 43 BCE – Cicero is assassinated The Roman statesman, philosopher, and orator is killed on the orders of Mark Antony. Cicero’s writings on rhetoric, politics, and ethics become foundational to Western political thought.
• 1787 – Delaware becomes the first U.S. state Delaware ratifies the U.S. Constitution, earning its nickname “The First State.” Its early adoption encourages other colonies to follow.
• 1836 – Martin Van Buren delivers first State of the Union to be broadcast by telegraph His annual message marks the first time the full text is instantly transmitted across the country, transforming political communication.
• 1941 – Attack on Pearl Harbor Japanese forces launch a surprise assault on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing over 2,400 Americans. The attack triggers the United States’ entry into World War II and becomes one of the most defining moments of the 20th century.
• 1963 – The first instant replay in sports CBS deploys instant replay during the Army–Navy football game, transforming the way sports are broadcast and analyzed.
• 1972 – Apollo 17 launches NASA sends Eugene Cernan, Harrison Schmitt, and Ronald Evans to the Moon on the final Apollo mission. Apollo 17 becomes the last human trip to the lunar surface to date.
• 1988 – Armenia earthquake A devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake strikes northwest Armenia, killing over 25,000 people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. It becomes one of the Soviet Union’s most catastrophic disasters.
• 1995 – Galileo enters orbit around Jupiter NASA’s Galileo spacecraft begins its long-awaited mission to study Jupiter and its moons. It becomes the first probe to orbit the gas giant.
• 2017 – Australian Parliament legalizes same-sex marriage Following a national postal survey with overwhelming public support, Australia officially amends its law to recognize marriage equality.

Famous Birthdays

• Giovanni Bernini (1598–1680) – Italian architect and sculptor central to the Baroque style.
• Willa Cather (1873–1947) – American author known for O Pioneers! and My Ántonia.
• Harry Chapin (1942–1981) – American singer-songwriter and humanitarian, known for “Cat’s in the Cradle.”
• Noam Pitlik (1931–1999) – American actor and Emmy-winning television director.
• Johnny Bench (1947) – American baseball player widely considered one of the greatest catchers in MLB history.
• Tom Waits (1949) – American singer-songwriter with a distinctive gravelly voice and experimental style.
• Jennifer Carpenter (1979) – American actress known for Dexter.
• Sara Bareilles (1979) – American singer-songwriter and Broadway composer.
• Larry Bird (1956) – American basketball legend and three-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics.

Notable Deaths

• Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BCE–43 BCE) – Roman orator and philosopher whose works influenced centuries of literature and politics.
• Thor Heyerdahl (1914–2002) – Norwegian explorer known for the Kon-Tiki expedition and theories about ancient seafaring.
• Rube Goldberg (1883–1970) – American cartoonist famous for whimsical, complex invention drawings.
• Eubie Blake’s contemporary Hadda Brooks (1916–2002) – American pianist and “Queen of the Boogie.”
• Robert O. Anderson (1917–2007) – American businessman who grew ARCO into a major oil company.
• Alice Tully (1902–1993) – American opera singer and philanthropist whose name graces New York’s Lincoln Center.
• Henry Armstrong (1912–1988) – American boxer and triple world champion.
• Jeanne Manford (1920–2013) – American activist and founder of PFLAG, a landmark LGBTQ+ support organization.
• Pearl Harbor casualties – Many notable soldiers, sailors, and civilians lost their lives on this day in 1941.

Holidays

• Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (United States) – Honors the lives lost during the 1941 attack and reflects on its historical impact.
• Armed Forces Flag Day (India) – Held annually to honor Indian military personnel and support veteran welfare.
• International Civil Aviation Day – Celebrates the importance of aviation for global connectivity and economic development.

Fun Facts

• The Apollo 17 launch was the last night launch of the Apollo program and remains a legendary spectacle in space history.
• The Pearl Harbor attack prompted the U.S. government to place extraordinary emphasis on radar development and cryptography.
• Cicero’s death is one of the best-documented assassinations of the ancient world, including accounts of his final words and composure.