43 BC
Marcus Tullius Cicero is assassinated in Formia on orders of Marcus Antonius.
Roman statesman Cicero was assassinated in Formia on the orders of Mark Antony, marking a pivotal moment in the power struggles of the late Republic.
Marcus Tullius Cicero was a leading figure of the late Roman Republic, celebrated for his oratory and political writings. On December 7, 43 BC, he was ambushed while traveling through Formia. Cicero’s assassination was ordered by Mark Antony in the wake of the power struggles following Julius Caesar’s death. His murder marked a chilling escalation in the civil wars that would ultimately end the Republic. The event sent shockwaves through Rome and left a void in its political and intellectual life. Cicero’s speeches and letters continued to influence political thought for centuries afterward.
43 BC
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Formia
Marcus Antonius
574day.year
Byzantine Emperor Justin II, suffering recurring seizures of insanity, adopts his general Tiberius and proclaims him as Caesar.
Emperor Justin II, beset by bouts of mental illness, adopts his general Tiberius as Caesar, reshaping Byzantine succession.
Byzantine Emperor Justin II faced recurrent episodes of mental instability later in his reign. On December 7, 574, he formally adopted his trusted general Tiberius. He conferred upon Tiberius the title of Caesar, designating him as his successor. This political maneuver aimed to stabilize the empire and secure continuity of leadership. Tiberius later ascended the throne as Tiberius II Constantine after Justin’s health declined further. The decision influenced the trajectory of Byzantine imperial politics and succession practices.
574
Justin II
Tiberius
Caesar
927day.year
The Sajid emir of Adharbayjan, Yusuf ibn Abi'l-Saj is defeated and captured by the Qarmatians near Kufa.
The Sajid emir Yusuf ibn Abi'l-Saj is defeated and captured by the Qarmatians near Kufa, altering regional power dynamics.
In the early 10th century, the region of Adharbayjan was ruled by the Sajid dynasty. On December 7, 927, the emir Yusuf ibn Abi’l-Saj led his forces against the Qarmatians near Kufa. The battle ended in a decisive defeat for the Sajids, and Yusuf was captured. The Qarmatians were a radical Ismaili sect that posed a significant challenge to Abbasid authority. His capture weakened the Sajid hold over the region and shifted the balance of power. The event illustrated the volatile nature of political and military alliances in the medieval Islamic world.
927
Sajid
Adharbayjan
Yusuf ibn Abi'l-Saj
Qarmatians
Kufa
1703day.year
The Great Storm of 1703, the greatest windstorm ever recorded in the southern part of Great Britain, makes landfall. Winds gust up to 120 mph, and 9,000 people die.
The Great Storm of 1703, one of the most severe windstorms ever recorded in southern Great Britain, made landfall causing widespread devastation and thousands of deaths.
On December 7, 1703, the Great Storm struck southern Great Britain with unprecedented ferocity. Hurricane-force winds, estimated at up to 120 mph, laid waste to coastal towns and inland communities. Thousands of ships were wrecked along the English Channel, and storm surges inundated low-lying areas. Contemporary accounts estimate the death toll at around 9,000 people, making it one of the deadliest windstorms in British history. The storm prompted significant improvements in weather observation and naval architecture. It remains a benchmark for extreme weather events in Europe.
1703
Great Storm of 1703
1724day.year
Tumult of Thorn: Religious unrest is followed by the execution of nine Protestant citizens and the mayor of Thorn (Toruń) by Polish authorities.
The Tumult of Thorn saw religious violence culminate in the execution of nine Protestant citizens and the mayor by Polish authorities, heightening sectarian tensions.
Religious tensions flared in the city of Thorn (present-day Toruń) on December 7, 1724. The Tumult of Thorn saw Protestant citizens accused of desecrating Catholic symbols. In the aftermath, Polish authorities executed nine Protestants along with the city’s Protestant mayor. The harsh punishment provoked outrage among Protestant communities across Europe. The incident highlighted the deep confessional divides in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It remains a stark example of sectarian violence in early modern Europe.
1724
Tumult of Thorn
Protestant
Thorn (Toruń)
1732day.year
The Royal Opera House opens at Covent Garden, London, England.
The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, opened its doors, establishing a premier venue for opera and ballet.
Covent Garden in London unveiled the Royal Opera House on December 7, 1732. The theatre was commissioned by the Duke of Bedford as a venue for opera and ballet. It quickly became the center of musical and dramatic entertainment in 18th-century Britain. Early productions featured a mix of Italian opera and French ballet, attracting aristocratic audiences. Over the centuries, the building underwent several rebuilds and renovations. Today, the Royal Opera House stands as one of the world’s leading performing arts venues.
1732
Royal Opera House
Covent Garden
1776day.year
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, arranges to enter the American military as a major general.
Marquis de Lafayette formally joined the Continental Army as a major general, beginning his influential role in the American Revolutionary War.
On December 7, 1776, Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, formally accepted a commission as a major general in the Continental Army. At just 19 years old, the French aristocrat sailed to America driven by Enlightenment ideals. Lafayette’s arrival provided a morale boost to American forces during the Revolutionary War. He quickly earned George Washington’s trust and became one of his closest confidants. Lafayette participated in key battles and lobbied for French military support. His contributions were instrumental in securing American independence.
1776
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette
1787day.year
Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the United States Constitution.
Delaware became the first U.S. state to ratify the United States Constitution, providing essential momentum for its adoption.
Delaware ratified the United States Constitution on December 7, 1787, becoming the first state to do so. This act provided crucial momentum for the Constitution’s adoption by other states. Delegates to the Delaware convention debated issues such as federal power and individual rights. Ratification ensured Delaware’s place in the union and set a precedent for orderly state conventions. The state’s support was celebrated nationwide and it earned the nickname the First State. Delaware’s early ratification underscored the fledgling nation’s commitment to a strong central government.
1787
Delaware
United States Constitution
1837day.year
The Battle of Montgomery's Tavern, the only battle of the Upper Canada Rebellion, takes place in Toronto, where the rebels are quickly defeated.
The Battle of Montgomery’s Tavern, the only major clash of the Upper Canada Rebellion, saw insurgents swiftly defeated near Toronto.
The Battle of Montgomery’s Tavern occurred on December 7, 1837, during the Upper Canada Rebellion. Rebel forces under William Lyon Mackenzie occupied a suburban tavern outside Toronto. Government troops led by John Colborne advanced and quickly overwhelmed the insurgents. The defeat effectively ended the rebellion in Upper Canada. The swift suppression demonstrated the British colonial administration’s determination to maintain order. Although brief, the battle had lasting political ramifications for Canadian governance.
1837
Battle of Montgomery's Tavern
Upper Canada Rebellion
Toronto
1842day.year
First concert of the New York Philharmonic, founded by Ureli Corelli Hill.
The New York Philharmonic gave its inaugural concert under Ureli Corelli Hill, launching what would become one of America’s leading orchestras.
The New York Philharmonic held its inaugural concert on December 7, 1842, under the direction of Ureli Corelli Hill. Founded earlier that year, the orchestra aimed to establish New York as a cultural capital. The program featured works by European composers alongside American music. The successful debut attracted both critical acclaim and public interest. Over time, the Philharmonic grew into one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious orchestras. Its founding marked a significant milestone in American musical history.
1842
New York Philharmonic
Ureli Corelli Hill
1904day.year
Comparative fuel trials begin between warships HMS Spiteful and HMS Peterel: Spiteful was the first warship powered solely by fuel oil, and the trials led to the obsolescence of coal in ships of the Royal Navy.
In 1904, the Royal Navy tested the first fuel oil–powered warship against a traditional coal-powered vessel, paving the way for modern naval propulsion.
In December 1904, HMS Spiteful and HMS Peterel underwent comparative trials to evaluate fuel oil versus coal propulsion.
Spiteful, the first warship to run exclusively on oil, demonstrated faster startup, higher efficiency, and extended range.
The trials revealed the strategic advantages of oil, including reduced crew labor and cleaner operations.
Within years, the Royal Navy initiated a broad conversion of its fleet, marking the obsolescence of coal.
This technological shift reshaped naval logistics and influenced global naval power balances.
1904
warships
HMS Spiteful
HMS Peterel
fuel oil
Royal Navy
1917day.year
World War I: The United States declares war on Austria-Hungary.
On December 7, 1917, the United States officially entered World War I against Austria-Hungary by declaring war, expanding the conflict in Europe.
After joining the Allies in April 1917, the United States declared war on Austria-Hungary on December 7, 1917.
Congress approved President Wilson's request, citing unrestricted submarine warfare and support for human rights.
This declaration broadened the American military commitment, allowing US forces to engage Austro-Hungarian troops and territories.
Though direct military actions against Austria-Hungary were limited, the move underscored the US determination to shape the postwar order.
It marked a significant escalation of American involvement and laid groundwork for the eventual dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
1917
World War I
Austria-Hungary