On This Day in History – September 7

September 7 has been marked by declarations of independence, technological firsts, and cultural milestones across continents. From space missions to iconic music premieres, this day continues to leave its imprint on history.

Major Events

• 1822 – Brazil Declares Independence Prince Dom Pedro proclaims Brazil’s independence from Portugal, marking the birth of the nation.
• 1921 – First Miss America Pageant Held The inaugural pageant takes place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with 16 contestants competing.
• 1936 – Last Known Tasmanian Tiger Dies The last confirmed thylacine dies in captivity at Hobart Zoo in Australia, leading to its classification as extinct.
• 1940 – Germany Begins Blitz on London Nazi Germany initiates 57 consecutive nights of bombing raids over London during World War II.
• 1953 – Nikita Khrushchev Becomes Head of the Soviet Central Committee Khrushchev’s rise to power marks a pivotal shift in Soviet policy and Cold War dynamics.
• 1977 – Panama Canal Treaty Signed U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos sign a treaty to transfer control of the Panama Canal to Panama by 1999.
• 2008 – U.S. Government Seizes Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Amid the global financial crisis, the U.S. federal government places the two mortgage giants under conservatorship.

Famous Birthdays

• Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) – One of England’s most iconic monarchs, known for the Elizabethan era.
• Buddy Holly (1936–1959) – American singer and rock pioneer, whose influence on music outlived his short career.
• Chrissie Hynde (1951) – American musician, lead vocalist of The Pretenders.
• Gloria Gaynor (1943) – American singer famous for the anthem I Will Survive.
• Shannon Elizabeth (1973) – American actress and activist, known for roles in American Pie and Scary Movie.
• Evan Rachel Wood (1987) – American actress known for Westworld and Thirteen.
• Tom Everett Scott (1970) – American actor known for That Thing You Do! and La La Land.

Notable Deaths

• Keith Moon (1978) – British drummer for The Who, known for his explosive style, born in 1946.
• Grandma Moses (1961) – American folk artist who began painting in her late 70s, born in 1860.
• Edward Teller (2003) – Hungarian-American physicist known as the “father of the hydrogen bomb,” born in 1908.
• Luciano Berio (2003) – Italian composer recognized for his avant-garde music and experimental operas, born in 1925.

Holidays

• Independence Day (Brazil) Celebrates Brazil’s separation from Portugal in 1822 with parades, music, and patriotic festivities.
• National Threatened Species Day (Australia) Observes the death of the last known Tasmanian tiger and raises awareness about species extinction.
• Victory Day (Mozambique) Commemorates the Lusaka Accord that led to independence from Portuguese colonial rule.

Fun Facts

• The Blitz on London lasted from September 7 to May 1941, killing over 43,000 civilians.
• The thylacine is often called the Tasmanian tiger due to its striped lower back and is a symbol of conservation efforts in Australia.
• Buddy Holly, despite dying at age 22, influenced generations of musicians including The Beatles and Bob Dylan.
• The Miss America pageant was originally designed to attract tourists to Atlantic City after Labor Day.