UPDATE: Today, December 7, marks the anniversary of significant historical events, most notably the launch of Apollo 17 in 1972, which remains America’s final crewed moon mission to date. The rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral, igniting excitement for space exploration.
Also on this date, in 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, a landmark moment in American history.
The echoes of December 7 resonate with tragedy as well. In 1941, the Empire of Japan launched a devastating air raid on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, claiming over 2,300 American lives. This attack prompted the United States to declare war against Japan, altering the course of World War II.
In subsequent years on this date, history continued to shape the world. In 1982, convicted murderer Charlie Brooks Jr. was executed by lethal injection in Texas, marking a pivotal moment in the U.S. criminal justice system. The 1988 earthquake in northern Armenia devastated the region, leaving at least 25,000 dead and countless more affected.
The violence in America also marked this day: in 1993, a mass shooting on the Long Island Rail Road left six dead and 19 injured, underscoring ongoing issues surrounding gun violence in the U.S.
In 2004, Hamid Karzai was sworn in as Afghanistan’s first popularly elected president, signalling a new era for the war-torn nation. Fast forward to 2018, and justice was served when James Alex Fields Jr. was convicted for driving into a crowd at a white nationalist rally, resulting in the death of anti-racism activist Heather Heyer. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 419 years.
In a moment of celebration, the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris reopened to the public in 2024, following a devastating fire in 2019 that nearly destroyed the iconic Gothic structure. World leaders gathered to commemorate this historic reopening.
Today also marks the birthdays of influential figures: Noam Chomsky turns 97, Ellen Burstyn is now 93, and Johnny Bench celebrates his 78th birthday. Other notable birthdays include Tom Waits at 76, Susan Collins at 73, and Larry Bird at 69.
As we reflect on these major events, the impact of history continues to resonate today. Share your thoughts on how these moments shape our present and future. What does December 7 mean to you?
