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What happened in history on this day: December 7?
Since 1995, I have been collecting information on a variety of topics,
creating several timelines of history.
Here you will find specific events from those databases
for this day, on the topics of personal computers, video games, the Walt Disney Company,
Chevrolet Corvettes, A&W Root Beer, Sweden, and Canadian coins.
On December 7 in ...
- 1995 - Adobe Systems announces it will license the Java programming language from Sun Microsystems, and integrate Java support into Adobe Acrobat tools and Adobe PageMill software.
- 1995 - Microsoft chairman Bill Gates and other executives give a seven-hour briefing speech and workshop in Seattle, Washington, on Microsoft's Internet strategy. Microsoft announces it has licensed Java from Sun Microsystems, and will add extensions to the technology for use with the Microsoft Network. Microsoft announces it has licensed browser technology from Spyglass for Windows 3.1 and the Macintosh, and will also offer Internet Explorer 2.0 on all platforms free of charge. The Microsoft Network will be redesigned as a Web site.
- 1937 - The film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is given its first pre-release screening, in a theater in Pomona, California.
- 1940 - The Disney studio sends application slips to all employees to join the Cartoonists Federation.
- 1941 - Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the US Army commandeers Disney's soundstage for the repair of military vehicles and anti-aircraft guns, and for use as a primary defense station to guard the nearby Lockheed Aircraft plant against a possible air strike.
- 1945 - The Pluto film Canine Patrol is released to theaters.
- 1955 - The ABC TV network airs the Disneyland TV show, entitled The Goofy Success Story.
- 1969 - The NBC TV network airs The Wonderful World of Disney show, entitled Inky, the Crow.
- 1982 - Grenada issues ten postage stamps depicting scenes from Robin Hood.
- 1986 - Broadcasting of The Disney Channel is extended from 18 hours to 24 hours per day.
- 1987 - Dominica issues ten postage stamps depicting Disney theme parks and trains, marking the 60th anniversary of Mickey Mouse.
- 1992 - Maldives issues fourteen postage stamps marking the 60th anniversary of Goofy.
- 1999 - Disney releases the film Inspector Gadget on videocassette.
- 1999 - Disney releases the animated film Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas on videocassette.
- 1999 - Disney releases the film The Jungle Book on DVD.
- 1999 - Disney releases the film The Little Mermaid on DVD.
- 2003 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US.
- A fat man has a teacup from Disneyland's Mad Tea Party attraction stuck on his bottom.
- He comments that one should never go on the ride "after eating at Beauty and the Beast's Fried Dough Chateau".
- A character hosting a live show says "Thank you, cast of The Lion King".
- 2004 - Disney releases the DVD set Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black & White Volume 2.
- 2004 - Disney releases the DVD set Walt Disney Treasures: The Complete Pluto Volume 1.
- 2004 - Disney releases the DVD set Walt Disney Treasures: The Mickey Mouse Club Week 1.
- 2005 - Disney premieres the live-action feature film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England.
- 1956 - Two 1957 Corvettes race-prepared by Chevrolet are entered in the Governor's Trophy race in the Bahamas. Finishing 10th overall is the Corvette driven by William Mitchell. Warren Flickinger races the #3 Corvette.
- 1939 - In Finland, the Soviet Union's 163rd Rifle Division reaches Suomussalmi.
- 1939 - German pocket-battleship Admiral Graf Spee sinks the Streonhaln.
- 1940 - German cruiser Admiral Hipper breaks into the North Atlantic through the Denmark Straits.
- 1940 - In Egypt, Lieutenant General Sir Richard O'Connor leads the Western Desert Force from Mersa Matruh with 30,000 troops and 275 tanks, to attack Italian positions at Sidi Barrani.
- 1941 - (about 0000 hours Washington time) Army Intelligence receives the 14th (final) part of the Japanese coded reply to the American ultimatum. The message indicates the Japanese Ambassador will break off relations with Washington at 1300 Eastern Standard Time (0700 in Hawaii).
- 1941 - (about 0900 hours Washington time) Admiral Stark, Commander-in-Chief of Navy read the decoded final part of Japan's reply to the American ultimatum. Then the Army Chief of Staff General Marshall reads it, then the President reads it.
- 1941 - (0345 hours Hawaii time) Minesweeper Condor at the entrance to Pearl Harbor signals the destroyer Ward that a submerged submarine had been sighted.
- 1941 - (1148 hours Washington time) Army Chief of Staff General Marshall releases a message to be sent to Hawaii and all other Pacific commands, telling them that the Japanese will break off relations at 0700 hours Hawaii time, and to be on alert accordingly.
- 1941 - (0600) Six Japanese carriers begin launching planes for an attack on Pearl Harbor.
- 1941 - (0630-0645 hours Hawaii) At the entrance to Pearl Harbor, the American destroyer Ward sights the conning tower of a submarine, fires two shots and drops a pattern of depth charges, sinking the midget submarine.
- 1941 - American destroyer USS Monaghan rams and sinks a Japanese midget submarine near Pearl Harbor.
- 1941 - A Japanese midget submarine runs aground on Oahu's northeast coast. Ensign Kazuo Sakamaki survives and is captured, becoming the first prisoner of war taken by the Americans in World War II.
- 1941 - (0740 hours) Japanese air attack commander Mitsuo Fuchida sights Oahu's northern tip, and shoots a signal flare to inform others to follow the "Surprise" attack sequence. The leader of the fighters does not respond to the new formation, so a second flare is shot. The leader of the dive bombers sees both flares, recognizing this as the "Surprise Lost" attack sequence.
- 1941 - (0749 hours) Japanese attack commander Fuchida telegraphs the signal "To" meaning "Charge", giving control to unit commanders to commence their attacks.
- 1941 - (about 0750 hours) Japanese flight leader Lieutenant junior grade Tatsumi drops a torpedo toward ex-battleship Utah, which passes forward of the ship, hitting the light cruiser Raleigh.
- 1941 - (about 0750 hours) Japanese airman 1st Class Karoku Fujiwara drops a torpedo, which strikes the Utah. Another torpedo from another plane also strikes the Utah.
- 1941 - (about 0753 hours) Japanese Squadron Leader Lieutenant Tsuyoshi Nagai drops a torpedo, running under the minelayer Oglala, striking the light cruiser Helena.
- 1941 - (0757 hours) Japanese Airgroup Commander Lieutenant Commander Shingeharu Murata drops the first torpedo onto Battleship Row, on the south side of Ford Island, striking the battleship USS West Virginia.
- 1941 - (about 0758 hours) Japanese Lieutenant junior grade Jinichi Goto launches the second torpedo against Battleship Row, striking the USS Oklahoma.
- 1941 - (0758 hours) Headquarters of US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, sends telegram message to Washington: "AIR RAID PEARL HARBOR - THIS IS NO DRILL".
- 1941 - (0810 hours) In Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona is stuck by a 1760-pound aerial armor-piercing bomb, which detonates over one million pounds of gunpowder in the ship's forward deck, killing 1177 crewmen.
- 1941 - (0825 hours) The first wave of Japanese planes withdraws from Pearl Harbor, returning to their aircraft carriers. A second group arrives.
- 1941 - (0942 hours) Japanese destroyers Sazanami and Ushio fire on Midway, scoring a few hits, then leave the area at 2200 hours.
- 1941 - (0945 hours) Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor end. 2403 Americans are dead, with 1178 wounded. Eighteen major fighting ships are sunk, and 188 aircraft are destroyed.
- 1941 - The garrison at Hong Kong is ordered to war stations.
- 1941 - Royal Canadian Navy corvette HMCS Windflower collides with Dutch freighter Zypenberg off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, and sinks, killing 23.
- 1941 - Within hours of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the British War Cabinet meets, and declares war on Japan.
- 1941 - Canada declares war on Japan.
- 1942 - The Russian 1st Armored Corp crosses the Chir River near Surovikino.
- 1943 - (0500 hours) In Italy, American artillery fire on San Pietro commences.
- 1943 - (0620 hours) In Italy, the 2nd and 3rd battalions of US 143rd Infantry Division approach San Pietro, but are thrown back by intense German fire.
- 1943 - US President Franklin Roosevelt tells Dwight Eisenhower that he would command Operation Overlord, as Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force.
- 1943 - Canadians across the Moro river near the Adriatic Sea commence south-west toward San Leonardo.
- 1943 - In Italy, the last German defender leaves the area of Mount La Difensa. The First Special Service Force suffered 511 casualties of a force of about 1500.
- 1943 - (evening) In Italy, a company of the US 143rd Infantry climbs the east face of Sammucro, reaching the top by first light.
- 1944 - The Allies hold a conference at Maastricht. General Dwight Eisenhower announces the decision for the main land effort into Germany to be led by British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery with ten US divisions serving directly under him.
- 1945 - Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita is found guilty of failing to provide effective control over occupation forces in the Philippines, resulting in the deaths of 25,000 Filipinos. He is sentenced to death by hanging.
- 1981 - Fiji issues four postage stamps depicting World War II aircraft.
- 1991 - Guyana issues ten postage stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
- 1991 - Marshall Islands issues four postage stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
- 2001 - Micronesia issues 14 postage stamps marking the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
- 2001 - St. Vincent issues fourteen postage stamps marking the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
- 2004 - Luxembourg issues a 70-cent postage stamp marking the 60th anniversary of liberation in World War II.
- 1982 - Atari announces that sales of Video Computer Systems are not meeting predicted levels.
- 1989 - U.S. Congressman Dennis Eckart announces at a large news conference that he is recommending an investigation of Nintendo by the Justice Department.
- 1990 - At Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California, Nintendo holds the Nintendo PowerFest grand finale to their nation-wide video game competition, over three days.
- 2003 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. The "Noiseland Arcade" includes at least eleven arcade video game machines.
- 2004 - Nvidia announces it is making the graphics processor for Sony's next PlayStation video game system. The two companies have been working for two years to develop a graphics processor based on Sony technology and Nvidia's GeForce architecture.
- 1865 - The nobility Estate of the riksdag spends a fourth day discussing the reform proposal. At 2 PM, the final vote is taken. 361 are in favor, 294 vote against.
- 1865 - The clergy Estate of the riksdag reluctantly votes unanimously in favor of the parliamentary reform.
- 1988 - A Royal proclamation specifies that the design of the $100 gold coin commemorate the 350th anniversary of the first European settlement at Sainte-Marie (Ontario).
- 1989 - In New York, Stack's holds its auction of Ancient and Foreign Gold, Silver, and Copper Coins, over two days. A 1921 50c in BU grade sells for a record US$57,200.
- 1876 - New York Mutuals and Philadelphia Athletics expelled from National League for not completing schedule.
- 1907 - Eugene Corri becomes first referee in a boxing ring.
- 1911 - National Hockey Association forms with New Westminister, Vancouver and Victoria.
- 1929 - Bradman scores 124 for Woodfull's XI against Ryder's XI 166 minutes.
- 1929 - Leo Diegel wins PGA golf tournament.
- 1930 - 13th PGA Championship: Tommy Armour at Fresh Meadows CC Flushing.
- 1931 - Bradman scores 219 New South Wales vs South Africa, 234 minutes, 15 fours.
- 1935 - Canadian Football League Grey Cup: Winnipeg Blue Bombers beat Hamilton Tigers, 18-12 at Hamilton.
- 1937 - Boston Red Sox acquire the contract of 19-year-old Ted Williams.
- 1938 - Harry Moses cricketer (6 Tests for Australia 1887-95), dies.
- 1939 - Lou Gehrig, 36, is elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame.
- 1940 - 28th Canadian Football League Grey Cup (Game 2): Toronto Balmy Beach defeats Ottawa, 12-5.
- 1949 - 15th Heisman Trophy Award: Leon Hart, Notre Dame (E).
- 1957 - Tony Kubek of the New York Yankees selected as American League Rookie of the Year.
- 1963 - Ian Meckiff no-balled for throwing against the South Africans.
- 1973 - Baltimore Orioles sell pitcher Eddie Watt to the Philadelphia Phillies.
- 1973 - Philadelphia Phillies sell infielder-outfielder Cesar Tovar to the Texas Rangers.
- 1975 - 10th New York Islanders' shut-out opponent-Glenn Resch 3-0 vs Buffalo Sabres.
- 1975 - Pat Bradley wins Colgate-Far East Ladies Tournament Golf Tournament.
- 1977 - New York Islanders' Billy Smith's 10th shut-out opponent - Chicago Black Hawks 4-0.
- 1977 - Paul Gibb, cricketer (England batsman, 8 Tests), dies.
- 1978 - New York Islanders' Mike Bossy's first career hat trick.
- 1984 - Allan Border's first Test Cricket match as captain (vs West Indies Adelaide).
- 1985 - 51st Heisman Trophy Award: Bo Jackson, Auburn (RB).
- 1986 - Juli Inkster/Tom Purtzer win LPGA J C Penney Golf Classic.
- 1988 - New York Islanders fire Terry Simpson; Al Arbour new coach.
- 1988 - Texas Rangers sign free-agent pitcher Nolan Ryan to a one-year contract.
- 1991 - A J Kitt, American, wins World Skiing Cup.
- 1995 - NBA settles strike of referees, referees to return on December 12.
- 1997 - Amy Fruhwirth and Clarence Rose win LPGA J C Penney Classic.
- 185 - Emperor Lo-Yang, China sees supernova (MSH15-52?).
- 1968 - Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 launched into Earth orbit.
- 1972 - Apollo 17 (US), final manned lunar landing mission (last of Apollo Moon series), is launched.
- 1985 - US space shuttle Atlantis returns to Kennedy Space Center via Kelly Air Force Base.
- 1992 - Galileo spacecraft passes North Pole of Moon (Peary Crater).
- 1995 - US NASA space probe Galileo arrives at Jupiter, a little more than six years after it was launched by Space Shuttle Atlantis.
- 1996 - Space Shuttle STS 80 (Columbia 21), lands.
- 2007 - Uranus' orbit is positioned such that the sun shines directly above its equator (i.e. an equinox).
- 1986 - In Bulgaria, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurs.
- 1988 - In Armenia, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurs. At least 25,000 people killed, 19,000 injured and 500,000 homeless. Damage totals US$16.2 billion.
Other history:
- 1877 - Thomas A Edison demonstrates the gramophone.
- 1949 - Chiang Kai-shek flees China to Taiwan.
- 1965 - Pope Paul VI and Orthodox Patriarch Athenagoras I simultaneously lift mutual excommunications that led to split of the two churches in 1054.
- 1988 - Earthquake in Armenia - 6.9 on the Richter scale (>100,000 killed, 5,000,000 homeless).
You can pick a particular day to view that day's events in history.
Bookmark this URL: http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/today/ and revisit each day.
(this URL will automatically re-direct to the file containing the current day's events)
Or, visit my Timelines of History page.
Other web pages of interest:
Chronology of World History
What's Notable About this Year?
Ken P's Coin/Stamp/Bill Novelties
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