December 7: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On December 7, 1972, Apollo 17 astronauts captured "The Blue Marble"—humanity's first full-color photograph of Earth from space—forever changing how we see our home.
About December 7
December 7 is a day of profound contrasts, blending somber remembrance with milestones of human achievement. In the United States, it is permanently etched in memory as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, honoring the 1941 surprise attack that drew America into World War II. India observes Armed Forces Flag Day to honor its military personnel, while Armenia solemnly marks Spitak Remembrance Day for the devastating 1988 earthquake that claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Yet this date also showcases humanity reaching for the stars and building new futures. In 1787, Delaware became the very first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Exactly 185 years later, Apollo 17 launched as the final lunar mission, producing "The Blue Marble" photograph that became an icon of the environmental movement. Scientific milestones continued in 1995 when the Galileo spacecraft arrived at Jupiter after a six-year voyage.
Culturally, December 7 has witnessed grand openings and historic firsts. The Royal Opera House opened at London's Covent Garden in 1732, and the New York Philharmonic gave its debut concert a century later in 1842. In 1965, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I famously revoked mutual excommunications between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches that had stood since 1054—a remarkable act of reconciliation after nine centuries of division.
Holidays & Observances on December 7
- Armed Forces Flag Day (India)
- Eve of the Immaculate Conception-related observances: Day of the Little Candles, begins after sunset (Colombia)
- International Civil Aviation Day
- National Heroes Day (East Timor)
- National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (United States)
- Spitak Remembrance Day (Armenia)
Fun & National Days on December 7
- Letter Writing Day — Grab some stationery and pen a heartfelt note—your recipient will treasure a handwritten letter far more than any text.
- National Cotton Candy Day — Tear off a fluffy cloud of spun sugar and enjoy the nostalgic, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness of this carnival classic.
- Walt Disney Day — Celebrate the magic by queuing up a beloved Disney classic and letting yourself be swept away by timeless storytelling.
On This Day in History
- -43 — Roman statesman and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero was killed in Formia on orders from Marcus Antonius, silencing one of antiquity's greatest voices.
- 1787 — Delaware made history as the first state to ratify the United States Constitution, earning its enduring nickname as "The First State."
- 1842 — The New York Philharmonic, founded by Ureli Corelli Hill, gave its inaugural concert, beginning a legacy as America's oldest symphony orchestra.
- 1917 — The United States declared war on Austria-Hungary, expanding its involvement in World War I beyond the initial declaration against Germany.
- 1930 — Boston station W1XAV aired the first television advertisement in the United States, promoting I.J. Fox Furriers during a CBS radio orchestra broadcast.
- 1941 — Imperial Japanese forces launched a devastating surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, sinking the U.S. Pacific Fleet and catapulting America into World War II.
- 1949 — The Republic of China government relocated from Nanjing to Taipei, Taiwan, a pivotal moment in the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War.
- 1965 — Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I simultaneously revoked mutual excommunications between the Catholic and Orthodox churches, ending a 911-year rift.
- 1972 — Apollo 17, the final Moon mission, launched from Earth; its crew captured "The Blue Marble," one of history's most famous photographs.
- 1988 — A catastrophic 6.8 magnitude earthquake devastated northern Armenia, killing between 25,000 and 50,000 people and injuring tens of thousands more.
- 1995 — NASA's Galileo spacecraft reached Jupiter after a journey of more than six years from its launch aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis.
- 2025 — British driver Lando Norris clinched the Formula One World Drivers' Championship, driving for the McLaren team.
Famous Birthdays on December 7
- 1598 — Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Italian Baroque sculptor and architect who shaped Rome's visual identity with masterworks like the Fountain of the Four Rivers.
- 1810 — Theodor Schwann, German physiologist who discovered pepsin, coined the term "metabolism," and helped establish cell theory as a foundation of biology.
- 1873 — Willa Cather, American novelist celebrated for evocative portrayals of frontier life in works like "O Pioneers!" and "My Ántonia."
- 1878 — Akiko Yosano, Japanese poet, pioneering feminist, and pacifist whose bold writings challenged gender norms in early 20th-century Japan.
- 1910 — Louis Prima, American singer, trumpet player, and entertainer whose exuberant blend of jazz and swing made him a Las Vegas legend.
- 1915 — Eli Wallach, American character actor whose memorable roles in "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and "The Godfather Part III" spanned seven decades.
- 1924 — Mário Soares, Portuguese lawyer and politician who helped lead his country's transition to democracy and served as its 17th President.
- 1980 — John Terry, English footballer and longtime Chelsea captain who became one of the Premier League's most decorated defenders.
- 1994 — Yuzuru Hanyu, Japanese figure skater and two-time Olympic champion renowned for his artistry and historic quadruple jumps.