1456day.year
A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her execution.
Twenty-five years after her execution, Joan of Arc is posthumously declared innocent of heresy.
In 1456, a papal commission convened by Pope Callixtus III retried Joan of Arc, overturning the charges of heresy that led to her 1431 execution. The retrial reexamined her original trial’s procedures, exposing political motivations behind her condemnation. By declaring her innocent, the Church restored Joan’s reputation and acknowledged her role in France’s victory during the Hundred Years’ War. This vindication strengthened Joan’s legacy as a national heroine and paved the way for her eventual canonization. The verdict also underscored the interplay between religious authority and royal politics in medieval Europe.
1456
retrial verdict
Joan of Arc
heresy
1585day.year
The Treaty of Nemours abolishes tolerance to Protestants in France.
French royalty withdraws religious toleration, banning Protestant worship under the Treaty of Nemours.
In July 1585, King Henry III of France signed the Treaty of Nemours under the influence of the Catholic League led by the Guise family. The agreement revoked earlier edicts of toleration and declared Protestantism illegal, forcing Huguenots to practice their faith in secret or face persecution. This measure reignited the French Wars of Religion, pitting Catholic forces against Protestant nobles. The treaty deepened divisions within the French nobility and populace, prolonging decades of intermittent civil war. It also highlighted the intense struggle between royal authority and religious factions in late 16th-century France.
1585
Treaty of Nemours
Protestants
1798day.year
As a result of the XYZ Affair, the US Congress rescinds the Treaty of Alliance with France sparking the "Quasi-War".
Following diplomatic scandals, the US withdraws from France’s alliance, triggering the undeclared Quasi-War at sea.
In response to the XYZ Affair, where French agents demanded bribes for negotiations, the US Congress on July 7, 1798, formally annulled the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France. This action marked the breakdown of Franco-American relations and led to the Quasi-War, an undeclared naval conflict fought in the Caribbean and Atlantic. American frigates captured numerous French privateers, protecting American merchant shipping. The episode tested the young republic’s diplomatic and military resolve and shaped the future of US foreign policy. Eventually, the Convention of 1800 ended hostilities, but the Quasi-War established a precedent for America’s naval independence.
1798
XYZ Affair
US Congress
Treaty of Alliance
Quasi-War
1807day.year
The first Treaty of Tilsit between France and Russia is signed, ending hostilities between the two countries in the War of the Fourth Coalition.
The first Treaty of Tilsit, signed by France and Russia on July 7, 1807, ends their hostilities in the War of the Fourth Coalition.
The Treaty of Tilsit was signed on July 7, 1807, between Emperor Napoleon I of France and Tsar Alexander I of Russia. It marked the end of the War of the Fourth Coalition and established a temporary alliance between the two powers. The agreement included provisions for mutual defense and the implementation of the Continental System against Britain. Prussia was forced to cede significant territories as part of the settlement. The treaty reshaped the balance of power in Europe and influenced diplomatic relations for years to come.
1807
Treaty of Tilsit
War of the Fourth Coalition
1863day.year
The United States begins its first military draft; exemptions cost $300.
The United States enacts its first military draft during the Civil War, allowing wealthy individuals to avoid service for a $300 exemption fee.
On July 7, 1863, the United States government implemented its first national military draft as part of the effort to supply troops during the Civil War. The Enrollment Act allowed men aged 20 to 45 to be conscripted, but included a controversial $300 exemption fee or the option to hire a substitute. Critics argued that the policy favored the wealthy and fueled class resentment. The draft sparked protests and was a key factor in the New York City draft riots later that month. Despite its unpopularity, the conscription law helped bolster Union forces during a critical phase of the conflict.
1863
military draft
1865day.year
Four conspirators in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln are hanged.
Four men convicted in Abraham Lincoln’s assassination are executed, bringing closure to one of America’s most shocking crimes.
On July 7, 1865, George Atzerodt, David Herold, Lewis Powell, and Mary Surratt were hanged for their roles in the conspiracy to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. Following Lincoln’s death in April 1865, a military tribunal tried the accused for treason and murder. The executions took place at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C., and were attended by President Andrew Johnson and other high-ranking officials. Mary Surratt became the first woman executed by the U.S. federal government. The hangings were seen as a definitive punishment for a crime that had shocked the nation and tested the resilience of American democracy.
1865
assassination of Abraham Lincoln
1898day.year
US president William McKinley signs the Newlands Resolution, annexing Hawaii as a territory of the United States.
President William McKinley signs the Newlands Resolution, formally annexing the Republic of Hawaii as a U.S. territory.
On July 7, 1898, President William McKinley signed the Newlands Resolution, which officially annexed the Republic of Hawaii into the United States. This joint congressional resolution reflected growing American strategic and economic interests in the Pacific. The annexation followed the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893 and a period of debate over the islands’ political status. As a territory, Hawaii’s sugar industry and naval base at Pearl Harbor gained prominence. The event marked a key moment in U.S. overseas expansion and set the stage for Hawaii’s eventual statehood in 1959.
1898
US president
William McKinley
Newlands Resolution
Hawaii
territory
1911day.year
The United States, UK, Japan, and Russia sign the North Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911 banning open-water seal hunting, the first international treaty to address wildlife preservation issues.
An international treaty is signed to ban open-water seal hunting, marking the first global agreement on wildlife conservation.
On July 7, 1911, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Russia signed the North Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911. This landmark treaty prohibited open-water seal hunting to protect dwindling fur seal populations. It represented the first multinational agreement dedicated to wildlife preservation and set a precedent for future conservation efforts. The convention established regulated shore-based harvests and shared revenue schemes. Although later challenged by changing interests, its legacy endures in the foundations of international environmental law. The agreement highlighted the importance of cooperative action in managing natural resources.
1911
North Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911
seal hunting
1915day.year
Colombo Town Guard officer Henry Pedris is executed in British Ceylon for allegedly inciting persecution of Muslims.
In 1915, Colombo Town Guard officer Henry Pedris was controversially executed by British colonial authorities in Ceylon under charges of inciting religious persecution.
Henry Pedris was a respected officer in the Colombo Town Guard and a popular figure in colonial Ceylon.
Accused of provoking Muslim communities and inciting communal violence, he faced a swift and contentious trial.
On July 7, 1915, Pedris was executed by firing squad, a decision that shocked many and stirred widespread protest.
The harsh punishment highlighted deep tensions between the British Empire and the local population.
Pedris’s death became a rallying point for anti-colonial activists and a catalyst for the independence movement.
He is remembered today as a martyr against unjust colonial rule and religious persecution.
Colombo Town Guard
Henry Pedris
British Ceylon
persecution of Muslims
1916,day.year
The New Zealand Labour Party was founded in Wellington.
The New Zealand Labour Party was founded in Wellington, marking the start of a major political force advocating workers’ rights.
On July 7, 1916, a group of trade unionists, socialists, and progressive politicians met in Wellington to form the New Zealand Labour Party.
It emerged from decades of growing labor activism and aimed to represent workers in Parliament.
The party campaigned for social welfare reforms, fair wages, and improved working conditions.
Over the years, it became one of New Zealand’s dominant political parties, shaping key welfare and economic policies.
Its formation signaled a shift in New Zealand politics toward organized labor representation.
The Labour Party’s legacy continues to influence the nation’s social and economic landscape.
1916
New Zealand Labour Party
Wellington
1937day.year
The Peel Commission Report recommends the partition of Palestine, which was the first formal recommendation for partition in the history of Palestine.
The Peel Commission Report recommends partition of Palestine, the first formal proposal to divide the territory.
On July 7, 1937, the British-appointed Peel Commission issued a report on the Arab-Jewish conflict in Palestine.
It recommended splitting the mandate into separate Jewish and Arab states with a small British-controlled corridor.
The proposal was groundbreaking as the first formal suggestion to partition the land.
Jewish leaders cautiously welcomed the idea, while Arab representatives strongly rejected the division.
Debates around the report laid the groundwork for future negotiations and conflicts in the region.
The Peel Commission’s legacy continues to influence discussions on Middle East peace and borders.
Peel Commission
1958day.year
US President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs the Alaska Statehood Act into law.
President Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act, paving the way for Alaska to join the United States as the 49th state.
On July 7, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act into law.
The act granted statehood to Alaska after years of territorial status and political debate.
Supporters argued that statehood would bring representation in Congress and economic opportunities.
Opponents raised concerns about the costs of infrastructure and defense in the remote territory.
Following the signing, plans began for the organization of Alaska’s government and electoral processes.
Alaska officially became the 49th U.S. state on January 3, 1959.
The inclusion of Alaska expanded American influence in the Arctic and boosted national resources.
1958
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Alaska Statehood Act
law