On this day, September 7, 1940, Nazi Germany launched a relentless air assault on Britain, marking the beginning of The Blitz. This eight-month-long bombing campaign devastated London and other cities, resulting in the tragic loss of over 40,000 civilian lives. The Blitz stands as a stark reminder of the horrors of war and the resilience required to withstand such sustained terror.
Other significant events on this date:
– In 1921, Atlantic City, New Jersey, hosted the inaugural Miss America Pageant. This iconic event saw contestants from seven cities, including Atlantic City itself, vying for the crown. Sixteen-year-old Margaret Gorman from Washington, D.C. emerged victorious, making history as the first Miss America.
– On September 7, 1943, a catastrophic fire engulfed the Gulf Hotel in Houston, Texas, tragically claiming 55 lives. This disaster remains one of the deadliest fires in the city’s history, underscoring the importance of fire safety in public buildings.
– In 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame opened its doors in Canton, Ohio, immortalizing the first 17 legends of professional football. This hallowed institution continues to honor the finest players, coaches, and contributors to the sport, cementing their legacies for generations to come.
– In a pivotal moment on September 7, 1977, U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos signed the Panama Canal Treaty in Washington. This treaty set the stage for the U.S. to transfer control of the vital waterway to Panama by the end of 1999, reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Americas.
– On this day in 1986, Bishop Desmond Tutu was installed as the first Black leader of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa. Tutu, renowned for his tireless activism against apartheid and for human rights, served as Bishop of Johannesburg and later as Archbishop of Cape Town, leaving an indelible mark on the global struggle for justice.
– In a tragedy that shook the world, rapper Tupac Shakur was shot on the Las Vegas Strip on September 7, 1996. He succumbed to his injuries six days later, leaving a profound legacy in music and activism that continues to resonate.
– In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, September 7, 2005, saw a concerted effort by police and soldiers in New Orleans to evacuate remaining residents from the devastated city. The disaster had left a trail of destruction, and the evacuation was a critical step in safeguarding lives amidst the chaos.
– Most recently, in 2021, El Salvador made history by becoming the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. This bold move placed the nation at the forefront of the global cryptocurrency movement, signaling a new era in the world of finance.
Today in History: December 20
A Look Back At Today, December 20
The Louisiana Purchase was completed.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” premiered at the Globe Theater.
The United States launched Operation Just Cause.
The United States Space Force was established.
Today in History: December 19
Today in History: December 19
In 1777, General George Washington led an army of more than 12,000 soldiers to Valley Forge.
In 1972, Apollo 17 splashed down in the Pacific, concluding the Apollo program.
In 2011, North Korean announced the death of Kim Jong Il and proclaimed Kim Jong Un as the leader.
In 2022, the House Jan. 6 Committee urged the Justice Department to bring criminal charges against the previous president
Today in History: December 18
Today in History: December 18
In 1865, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery, was proclaimed in effect.
In 1892, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” publicly premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia; although now considered a classic, it received a generally negative reception from critics.
In 1957, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania, the first nuclear facility to generate electricity in the United States, went on line. (It was taken out of service in 1982.)
In 2011, the last convoy of heavily armored U.S. troops left Iraq, crossing into Kuwait in darkness in the final moments of a nearly nine-year war.
Today in History: December 17
Today in History: December 17
In 1903 The Wright brothers’ flight redefined the possibilities of travel and opened the skies to human exploration.
In 1933 The first NFL championship laid the foundation for professional football’s evolution into a national pastime.
In 1989 “The Simpsons” redefined animated television, blending humor with social commentary to leave an indelible mark on entertainment.
In 1992 NAFTA reshaped North American trade, fostering economic ties while sparking debates on globalization.
In 2014 The U.S.-Cuba rapprochement signaled a pivotal moment in the post-Cold War world, rekindling hopes for reconciliation.
  | Better Yourself, Lead Others 
| Personal Development Life Coach Certification 
|  
|
