TODAY IN HISTORY: MARCH 7

 

March 7

 

March 7th is a significant date in history for various reasons. On this day, notable events took place, impacting the world in different ways. From political milestones to scientific breakthroughs, March 7th holds a place in our collective memory.

One of the most significant events to happen on March 7th was the Bloody Sunday incident during the civil rights movement in the United States. On March 7, 1965, over 600 demonstrators, led by civil rights activists such as John Lewis and Hosea Williams, marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in a peaceful protest for voting rights for African Americans. However, they were met with state troopers who brutally attacked them using tear gas, clubs, and whips. The images of this violence shocked the nation and drew attention to racial inequality, leading to the eventual passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Moving from the political sphere to scientific advancements, March 7th also witnessed noteworthy achievements. On this day in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent for his invention, the telephone. Bell's invention revolutionized communication, connecting people across long distances and laying the groundwork for future technological advancements in telecommunications.

Similarly, on March 7th, 1876, Eadweard Muybridge began a series of experiments that would pave the way for motion pictures. Using a series of cameras, Muybridge captured a horse's movement, proving that all four hooves of a galloping horse leave the ground simultaneously. This breakthrough in photography and motion capture led to the development of motion pictures and set the stage for the film industry as we know it today.

March 7th also holds significance in the world of literature and art. One notable literary event that occurred on this day was the publication of Gabriel García Márquez's novel, \One Hundred Years of Solitude,\ in 1967. This masterpiece, considered one of the most influential novels of the 20th century, explores themes of magic realism, family, and politics, captivating readers worldwide with its rich storytelling and vibrant characters.

Another historical moment in the world of art is the birth of the renowned French painter, Camille Pissarro, on March 7,

 1830. Pissarro, a pioneer of Impressionism, played a crucial role in shaping the movement and influencing generations of artists. His landscapes and urban scenes depict the everyday life of the working class, capturing the light and atmosphere with his distinct brushstrokes.

Sports history also marks March 7th as a significant date, especially in the world of football (soccer). On this day in 1966, England's football team manager, Alf Ramsey, announced his squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. This marked a pivotal moment in English football history, as they would go on to win the tournament that year, claiming their first and only World Cup title to date.

Additionally, March 7th has seen numerous political events taking place worldwide. In 1951, the United Nations headquarters was officially opened in New York City, symbolizing global cooperation and diplomacy. This iconic complex has served as a hub for international dialogue, where countries come together to address global challenges and strive for peace.

In conclusion, March 7th is a date that holds historical significance across various domains. From the civil rights movement to scientific breakthroughs, literature, art, and sports, this day has witnessed remarkable events that have shaped our world. It serves as a reminder of the progress we have made as a society and the ongoing pursuit of equality, innovation, and cultural expression.

Here are more events from this day:

161 – Marcus Aurelius and L. Commodus (who changes his name to Lucius Verus) become joint emperors of Rome on the death of Antoninus Pius.

1138 – Konrad III von Hohenstaufen was elected king of Germany at Coblenz in the presence of the papal legate Theodwin.

1277 – The University of Paris issues the last in a series of condemnations of various philosophical and theological theses.

1573 – A peace treaty is signed between the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice, ending the Ottoman–Venetian War and leaving Cyprus in Ottoman hands.

1799 – Napoleon Bonaparte captures Jaffa in Palestine and his troops proceed to kill more than 2,000 Albanian captives.

1814 – Emperor Napoleon I of France wins the Battle of Craonne.

1827 – Brazilian marines unsuccessfully attack the temporary naval base of Carmen de Patagones, Argentina.

1827 – Shrigley abduction: Ellen Turner is abducted by Edward Gibbon Wakefield, a future politician in colonial New Zealand.

1850 – Senator Daniel Webster gives his "Seventh of March" speech endorsing the Compromise of 1850 in order to prevent a possible civil war.

1862 – American Civil War: Union forces engage Confederate troops at the Battle of Pea Ridge in northwestern Arkansas.

1876 – Alexander Graham Bell is granted a patent for an invention he calls the "telephone".

1900 – The German liner SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse becomes the first ship to send wireless signals to shore.

1902 – Second Boer War: Boers, led by Koos de la Rey, inflict the biggest defeat upon the British since the beginning of the war, at Tweebosch.

1914 – Prince William of Wied arrives in Albania to begin his reign as King.

1931 – The Parliament House of Finland is officially inaugurated in Helsinki, Finland.

1941 – Günther Prien and the crew of German submarine U-47, one of the most successful U-boats of World War II, disappear without a trace.

1945 – World War II: American troops seize the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine river at Remagen.

1950 – Cold War: The Soviet Union issues a statement denying that Klaus Fuchs served as a Soviet spy.

1951 – Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 307 crashes in Lynnhurst, Minneapolis, killing 15 people.

1951 – Korean War: Operation Ripper: United Nations troops led by General Matthew Ridgway begin an assault against Chinese forces.

1951 – Iranian prime minister Ali Razmara is assassinated by Khalil Tahmasebi, a member of the Islamic fundamentalist Fada'iyan-e Islam, inside a mosque in Tehran.

1965 – Bloody Sunday: A group of 600 civil rights marchers is brutally attacked by state and local police in Selma, Alabama.

1967 – The Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat Sementara (MPRS), Indonesia's provisional parliament, revoked Sukarno's mandate as President of Indonesia.

1968 – Vietnam War: The United States and South Vietnamese military begin Operation Truong Cong Dinh to root out Viet Cong forces from the area surrounding Mỹ Tho.

1971 – Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, political leader of then East Pakistan (present day-Bangladesh), delivers his historic 7th March speech in the Racecourse Field (Now Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka.

1986 – Challenger Disaster: Divers from the USS Preserver locate the crew cabin of Challenger on the ocean floor.

1987 – Lieyu massacre: Taiwanese military massacre of 19 unarmed Vietnamese refugees at Donggang, Lieyu, Kinmen.

1989 – Iran and the United Kingdom break diplomatic relations after a fight over Salman Rushdie and his controversial novel, The Satanic Verses.

1993 – The tugboat Thomas Hebert sank off the coast of New Jersey, USA.

2006 – The terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba coordinates a series of bombings in Varanasi, India.

2007 – Reform of the House of Lords: The British House of Commons votes to make the upper chamber, the House of Lords, 100% elected.

2007 – Garuda Indonesia Flight 200 crashes at Adisutjipto International Airport in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, killing 21 people.

2009 – The Real Irish Republican Army kills two British soldiers and injures two other soldiers and two civilians at Massereene Barracks, the first British military deaths in Northern Ireland since the end of The Troubles.

2021 – At least 105 die and 600 are injured in the 2021 Bata explosions in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.