Europa
- 1558: The French recaptured Calais, the last English possession on mainland France, marking the end of England’s continental holdings after more than two centuries.
- 1325: Afonso IV became King of Portugal, beginning a reign that would last until 1357.
- 1610: Galileo Galilei made his first recorded observation of Jupiter’s four largest moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto—though he was unable to distinguish all four until the following night. This discovery was pivotal in the development of modern astronomy.
- 1790: During the French Revolution, a riot broke out in Versailles as people demanded cheaper bread, reflecting the widespread social unrest of the era.
- 1912: German geophysicist Alfred Wegener presented his then-controversial theory of continental drift in Frankfurt, which later became a cornerstone of modern geology.
America
- 1789: First U.S. Presidential Election
Americans voted for electors who would later select George Washington as the nation’s first president, marking the beginning of the U.S. presidential election system. - 1800: Birth of Millard Fillmore
Millard Fillmore, the 13th President of the United States, was born in Locke, New York. His presidency was marked by efforts to ease tensions over slavery with the Compromise of 1850. - 1608: Jamestown Fire
A devastating fire destroyed much of Jamestown, Virginia, one of the first permanent English settlements in America, exposing the vulnerability of early colonists. - 1782: First American Commercial Bank
The Bank of North America opened in Philadelphia, becoming the first commercial bank in the United States and playing a crucial role in the nation’s early financial stability. - 1927: First Transatlantic Telephone Service
The first commercial transatlantic telephone service was established between New York and London, revolutionizing international communication. - 1959: U.S. Recognizes Castro’s Cuba
The United States officially recognized the new Cuban government led by Fidel Castro after the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista, marking a turning point in U.S.-Cuba relations. - 1968: Surveyor 7 Lunar Mission
NASA launched Surveyor 7, an uncrewed spacecraft that successfully landed on the Moon, contributing vital data for the Apollo missions. - 1999: Impeachment Trial of Bill Clinton Begins
The U.S. Senate began the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, only the second such trial in U.S. history.
Asia
- 1979: Fall of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia
Vietnamese forces captured Phnom Penh, overthrowing the brutal Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot. This event ended a period of genocide that killed an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians. In Cambodia, January 7 is commemorated as “Victory Day,” though its interpretation remains politically contentious within the country. - 1984: Brunei joins ASEAN
Brunei became the sixth member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), marking a significant step in its regional integration after gaining independence. - 1985: Japan launches Sakigake
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched Sakigake, its first interplanetary spacecraft and the first deep space probe launched by a country other than the United States or Soviet Union. - 1989: Akihito becomes Emperor of Japan
Following the death of Emperor Hirohito, Akihito was sworn in as Emperor, marking the beginning of the Heisei era in Japan. - 1738: Maratha Empire and Jaipur sign peace
A peace treaty was signed between Peshwa Bajirao of the Maratha Empire and Jai Singh II of Jaipur following the Maratha victory in the Battle of Bhopal, shaping the power dynamics in 18th-century India. - 1967: Birth of acclaimed Indian actor Irrfan Khan.
- 1966: Death of legendary Indian filmmaker Bimal Chandra Roy.
- Several other notable Indian figures, including actors and social reformers, were born on this date.
Africa
- Constitution Day in Ghana: January 7 is observed as Constitution Day in the Republic of Ghana, a statutory public holiday first celebrated in 2019. It commemorates the establishment of Ghana’s democratic constitution and the Fourth Republic inaugurated on this day in 1993 under President Jerry Rawlings.
- 1944 – World War II in Burma: During the Second Arakan Campaign, the RAF and US Tenth Air Force began air supply operations to isolated West African troops fighting in Burma, highlighting African involvement in the global conflict.
This day in history: 7 january