January 7 has witnessed several major historical events throughout the centuries that have left lasting impacts on the world. From significant battles and groundbreaking scientific discoveries to notable births and deaths of influential figures, this date has played a crucial role in shaping our history. Join us as we delve into the annals of time to explore the major historical events on January 7 in this edition of “Today in History.”
Major Historical Events on January 7 – Today in History
1610: Galileo Discovers Jupiter’s Moons
In 1610, Galileo Galilei made a groundbreaking discovery by observing Jupiter’s moons: Io, Europa, and Ganymede. This observation challenged the geocentric model of the universe, supporting the heliocentric theory.
1618: Francis Bacon as Lord Chancellor
In 1618, Francis Bacon assumed the position of Lord Chancellor in England. Known for his contributions to the scientific method, he held a powerful legal and political role during this period.
1782: First US Commercial Bank
The year 1782 marked the opening of the first commercial bank in the United States, the Bank of North America, in Philadelphia. This institution played a pivotal role in the nation’s financial development.
1784: First US Seed Business
In 1784, David Landreth established the first seed business in the United States, located in Philadelphia. This venture laid the foundation for the seed industry’s growth in the country.
1785: First Balloon Flight Across Channel
On January 7, 1785, Jean Pierre Blanchard and John Jeffries made history with the first successful balloon flight across the English Channel. Their achievement marked a significant milestone in aviation history.
1797: Modern Italian Flag
In 1797, the Cispadane Republic officially adopted the modern Italian flag, known as the Tricolor. This iconic flag’s design has since become synonymous with Italy’s national identity.
1790: Versailles Riot for Lower Bread
In 1790, during the French Revolution, a major riot erupted in Versailles as people demanded lower bread prices. This event highlighted the social and economic tensions of the time.
1822: First Printing in Hawaii
In 1822, Elisha Loomis achieved the first known printing in Hawaii, creating a ceremonial broadside for King Kamehameha II. This represented an early step in the development of Hawaiian printing.
1830: First US Railroad Station
The year 1830 witnessed the opening of the first U.S. Railroad Station in Baltimore. This event marked the expansion of the country’s growing railroad infrastructure, revolutionizing transportation.
1890: William Purvis Patents Fountain Pen
In 1890, African American inventor William Purvis received a patent for the fountain pen. His innovation improved writing instruments and had a lasting impact on communication technology.
1897: Teatro Amazonas Hosts Enrico Caruso
In 1897, Teatro Amazonas in Manaus, Brazil, hosted its inaugural performance with the renowned Italian tenor Enrico Caruso. The theater became a cultural icon in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
1899: Walter Camp’s All-American Football Team
Walter Camp published his first All-American football team in Collier’s magazine in 1899. Camp’s selections helped shape the future of American football and honor outstanding players.
1904: Marconi’s “CQD” Distress Signal
In 1904, Marconi’s company established “CQD” (Seeking You. Distress!) as the first international radio distress signal. Although later replaced by “SOS,” it marked a significant step in maritime safety.
1927: Harlem Globetrotters Debut
In 1927, the Harlem Globetrotters, a renowned basketball team known for their entertaining style, played their first game in Hinckley, Illinois. This marked the beginning of a legendary sports and entertainment legacy.
1929: “Buck Rogers” Comic Strip
In 1929, the iconic sci-fi comic strip “Buck Rogers” made its first appearance in a newspaper. It introduced readers to the adventures of a space-traveling hero and contributed to the genre’s popularity.
1929: “Tarzan” Comic Strip Begins
Also in 1929, “Tarzan,” one of the earliest adventure comic strips, made its debut. The character Tarzan, created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, became a beloved figure in popular culture.
1929: First Radiosonde by Robert Bureau
In the same year, French inventor Robert Bureau launched the first radiosonde, a telemetry instrument that measured atmospheric parameters and transmitted data by radio. This innovation revolutionized weather forecasting.
1931: Guy Menzies’ Trans-Tasman Flight
In 1931, Guy Menzies achieved the first solo non-stop trans-Tasman flight from Australia to New Zealand, completing the journey in 11 hours and 45 minutes. He made a dramatic crash landing on New Zealand’s west coast.
1932: First Game at Orchard Lake Curling Club
1932 witnessed the inaugural game at the Orchard Lake Curling Club in Michigan, marking the start of a tradition in the sport of curling in the United States.
1933: First Edition of “People & Fatherland”
1933 saw the first edition of “People & Fatherland” published in the Netherlands, reflecting the political and social dynamics of the time.
1944: US Air Force’s First Jet Fighter
In 1944, the U.S. Air Force announced the production of its first jet fighter, the Bell P-59. This marked a significant advancement in aviation technology during World War II.
1947: Australia vs. England Cricket Draw
In 1947, the cricket match between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) ended in a draw after six days, a rare occurrence in Australian cricket history since 1882.
1949: First Photo of Genes Taken
The year 1949 marked a milestone in genetics as the first photograph of genes was taken at the University of Southern California by scientists Pease and Baker, contributing to the field of molecular biology.
1955: Marian Anderson at New York Met Opera
In 1955, Marian Anderson became the first African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera, portraying the role of Ulrica in Giuseppe Verdi’s “Un ballo in maschera.” Her achievement broke racial barriers in the opera world.
1967: “Luv” Stage Comedy Closes
In 1967, Murray Schisgal’s stage comedy “Luv,” directed by Mike Nichols and starring Alan Arkin and Eli Wallach, concluded a successful run at the Helen Hayes Theatre in NYC, garnering three Tony Awards.
1970: Farmers Sue Max Yasgur
In 1970, farmers sued Max Yasgur for $35,000 in damages caused by the famous “Woodstock Festival,” highlighting the challenges of hosting such a massive cultural event.
1972: Discovery of Cygnus X-1 Black Hole
This year marked the discovery of the first black hole, Cygnus X-1, in the constellation Cygnus. Louise Webster and Paul Murdin reported this groundbreaking astronomical find in the journal “Nature.”
1980: Debut Album of The Pretenders
In 1980, The Pretenders released their debut album, “Pretenders,” in the UK. The band’s music would have a lasting impact on the music industry.
1980: Carter’s Chrysler Bailout
In this year, U.S. President Jimmy Carter authorized legislation to bail out the financially struggling Chrysler Corporation with a substantial $1.5 billion loan, aiming to stabilize the American automotive industry.
1987: Kapil Dev’s 300th Test Wicket
In 1987, Indian cricketer Kapil Dev achieved a significant milestone by taking his 300th Test wicket, becoming the youngest player to reach this milestone in international cricket.
1990: Lynn Jennings’ World Record
In 1990, Lynn Jennings achieved a world record by running the indoor 5km race in an impressive time of 15:22.64, showcasing her exceptional athletic prowess in long-distance running.
1995: Patrick Stewart’s “A Christmas Carol” Ends
In 1995, a limited run of Patrick Stewart’s one-man show “A Christmas Carol,” based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel, concluded at the Richard Rodgers Theater in NYC after 18 captivating performances.
2003: “In Da Club” by 50 Cent Released
The year 2003 saw the release of 50 Cent’s hit single “In Da Club,” which garnered multiple awards, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video and Best New Artist and Billboard Song of the Year for 2003.
2007: Phil Jackson’s 900th Coaching Win
In 2007, Phil Jackson, a renowned basketball coach, achieved his 900th career coaching win, becoming the fastest coach to reach this milestone. His success and leadership were instrumental in several NBA championships.
2013: Lionel Messi Wins FIFA Ballon d’Or
In 2013, at the FIFA Ballon d’Or awards, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi made history by winning the award for a record fourth consecutive year. US forward Abby Wambach also received the women’s award.
2015: Terrorist Attack on “Charlie Hebdo”
In 2015, a tragic terrorist attack on the offices of the satirical newspaper “Charlie Hebdo” in Paris claimed the lives of 12 people, including prominent cartoonists Jean Cabut and Stéphane Charbonnier, and injured 11 others.
2019: Amazon Becomes Most Valuable Company
The year 2019 marked a significant financial milestone as Amazon overtook Microsoft to become the world’s most valuable listed company for the first time, with a staggering worth of $797 billion.
2019: India Wins Test Series in Australia
In the same year, during the fourth cricket Test in Sydney, rain disrupted the last two days of play. India’s victory in the series marked a historic achievement, making them the first Asian side to win a Test series in Australia since 1947-48.
2021: Elon Musk Becomes World’s Richest
In 2021, Elon Musk, co-founder of Tesla, became the world’s richest person with a net worth of $186 billion, surpassing Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in wealth.
2021: Mark Zuckerberg Blocks Donald Trump
Also in 2021, Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from Facebook and Instagram until January 20, following the suspension of his other social media accounts the previous day.
2022: First Pig’s Heart Transplant in Human
In 2022, a groundbreaking medical milestone was achieved with the successful transplant of a genetically modified pig’s heart into a 53-year-old man in Baltimore, Maryland, marking a significant advancement in organ transplantation.
2023: Bee Vaccine Against American Foulbrood
In 2023, a historic moment in insect health occurred as the United States approved the first-ever vaccine for bees against American Foulbrood bacteria, addressing a critical issue in beekeeping and environmental conservation.
Also Read: Major Historical Events on January 4 – Today in History
