Ken P's Today in History
December 7

Copyright © 2006-2024 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
URL: http://kpolsson.com/today/
(this URL will automatically re-direct to the file containing a single day's events)

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 ...

Personal computer history:

  • 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.
  • 2003 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A personal computer appears.
  • 2004 - IBM announces it will sell its PC division to Lenovo Group of China, for about US$1.75 billion. IBM will retain 18.9 percent of Lenovo shares.
  • 2007 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A laptop computer appears.

Walt Disney Company history:

  • 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.
  • 2008 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. In a dream sequence of the future, the world has become a polluted wasteland, complete with mobile clean-up robot like the main character in the Disney film WALL-E.
  • 2010 - Disney Interactive Studios releases the Tron: Evolution video game for most video game platforms in the US.
  • 2021 - The People's Choice Awards ceremony is held in Santa Monica, California. Dwayne Johnson wins Male Movie Star, Comedy Movie Star, and People's Champion for his role in the Jungle Cruise movie.

Chevrolet Corvette history:

  • 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.

World War II history:

  • 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 - The 9th and final torpedo strikes the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor. 429 sailors and Marines died in the attacks.
  • 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 - Japan attacks Philippines, Wake, Guam, Malaya, Thailand, Shanghai, and declares war on US and Great Britain.
  • 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.
  • 1999 - St. Vincent issues a postage stamp depicting the 1939 start of World War II, in a series on the 20th century.
  • 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.

Video game history:

  • 1982 - 23 minutes before Atari announcing reduces sales expectations, Atari President and CEO Ray Kassar sells 5000 shares of Warner Communications.
  • 1982 - Atari announces that sales of Video Computer Systems are not meeting predicted levels. Fourth quarter sales increase expected to be 10-15 percent rather than 50 percent.
  • 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.
  • 2004 - Capcom releases the Viewtiful Joe 2 video game for the GameCube and PlayStation 2 in the US.
  • 2009 - Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks video game for the Nintendo DS in the USA.

Swedish history:

  • 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.

Canadian coin history:

  • 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.
  • 2022 - The Royal Canadian Mint launched the 2022 $2 coin to circulation, featuring world's first black nickel-plated outer ring.

USA coin history:

  • 1854 - A fire sweeps across the roof of the Charlotte Branch Mint.
  • 1973 - The Bureau of the Mint discloses it has been conducting tests of aluminum alloy cents. The US Treasury requests authority to coin aluminum cents.
  • 1979 - (to December 8) Stack's conducts a coin auction in New York City. A 1907 $20 gold, Saint Gaudens, Arabic numbers, matte Proof, sells for $75,000.
  • 1998 - At the Philadelphia Mint, a first-strike ceremony is held for the striking of the Delaware quarter dollar, and the official launch of the 50 State quarter program.

Sports history:

  • 1907 - Eugene Corri becomes first referee in a boxing ring.
  • 1911 - National Hockey Association forms with teams in New Westminister, Vancouver, and Victoria.
  • 1920 - New South Wales make 802 against South Australia in cricket, then Mailey takes 8-81.
  • 1929 - Donald 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 - Donald Bradman scores 219 New South Wales versus 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 versus 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.
  • 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 (Running Back).
  • 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.
  • 2021 - At SAP Center in San Jose, California, USA, NHL regular season game: San Jose Sharks beats Calgary Flames by score 5-3.
  • 2021 - At Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, NHL regular season game: Minnesota Wild beats Edmonton Oilers by score 4-1.
  • 2021 - At United Center in Chicago, Illinois, USA, NHL regular season game: New York Rangers beats Chicago Blackhawks by score 6-2.
  • 2021 - At Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, NHL regular season game: Carolina Hurricanes beats Winnipeg Jets by score 4-2.
  • 2021 - At Enterprise Center in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, NHL regular season game: Saint Louis Blues beats Florida Panthers by score 4-3.
  • 2021 - At KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, USA, NHL regular season game: Anaheim Ducks beats Buffalo Sabres by score 2-0.
  • 2021 - At Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, USA, NHL regular season game: Florida Predators beats Detroit Red Wings by score 5-2.
  • 2021 - At Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, NHL regular season game: New York Islanders beats Ottawa Senators by score 5-3.
  • 2021 - At Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, NHL regular season game: Tampa Bay Lightning beats Montreal Canadiens by score 3-2.
  • 2021 - At Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, NHL regular season game: Toronto Maple Leafs beats Columbus Blue Jackets by score 5-4.

Space exploration history:

  • 185 - Emperor Lo-Yang, China sees supernova (MSH15-52?).
  • 1900 - Max Planck discovers the law of black body emission in his house just outside Berlin, Germany.
  • 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).

USA history:

  • 1787 - Delaware becomes first state to ratify US Constitution.
  • 1808 - James Madison elected US President, with George Clinton as Vice-President.
  • 1812 - The Territory of Missouri is created.
  • 1836 - Martin Van Buren is elected 8th US President.
  • 1854 - A fire sweeps across the roof of the Charlotte Branch Mint.
  • 1862 - Battle of Hartsville, Tennessee, CSA.
  • 1862 - Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, CSA.
  • 1864 - Skirmish at Ebenezer Creek/Cypress Swamp, Georgia.
  • 1868 - Jesse James gang robs bank in Gallatin, Missouri, kills one person.
  • 1877 - Thomas A Edison demonstrates the gramophone.
  • 1885 - 49th US Congress (1885-87) convenes.
  • 1891 - 52nd US Congress (first to appropriate $1 billion) holds first session.
  • 1907 - In Bellefontaine, Ohio, USA, a falling meteorite starts a fire, destroying a house.
  • 1917 - US becomes 13th country to declare war on Austria.
  • 1930 - In Boston, Massachusetts, the CBS radio orchestra program is broadcast in video and includes the first television commercial in the United States.
  • 1932 - First gyro-stabilized vessel to cross the Atlantic arrives in New York, USA.
  • 1938 - W9XZY broadcasts facsimile of the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch by radio.
  • 1941 - First Japanese submarine sunk by a US ship (USS Ward).
  • 1941 - (before 0800 hours) Japan attacks the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands.
  • 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 - (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 - Japan attacks Philippines, Wake, Guam, Malaya, Thailand, Shanghai, and declares war on US and Great Britain.
  • 1944 - Convention on International Civil Aviation drawn up in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • 1946 - Fire at Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, USA kills 119.
  • 1962 - Great Britain performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site.
  • 1968 - Richard Dodd returns a library book his great grandfather borrowed in 1823 to the University of Cincinnati; the US$22,646 fine goes unpaid.
  • 1972 - Apollo 17 (US), final manned lunar landing mission (last of Apollo Moon series), is launched.
  • 1973 - The Bureau of the Mint announces tests are being conducted with aluminum alloy cents; the US Treasury requests authority to coin aluminum cents.
  • 1982 - Charlie Brooks Junior, convicted murderer, becomes first US prisoner to be executed by lethal injection, at a prison in Huntsville, Texas.
  • 1985 - US space shuttle Atlantis returns to Kennedy Space Center via Kelly Air Force Base.
  • 1987 - Pacific Southwest Airline Flight 1771 crashes near Paso Robles, California, killing all 43 on board, after a disgruntled passenger shoots his ex-supervisor on the flight, then shoots both pilots and himself.
  • 1987 - Mikhail Gorbachev arrives in the USA for a summit meeting.
  • 1988 - Mikhail Gorbachev cheered by Wall Street crowds upon arrival in New York City.
  • 1993 - Colin Ferguson opens fire with his Ruger 9mm pistol on a Long Island Rail Road train, killing 16 and injuring 29.
  • 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.
  • 2005 - A U.S. Federal Air Marshal fatally shoots Rigoberto Alpizar on a jetway at Miami International Airport in Florida.

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).

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