Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
December 7 Monday, December 7, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 7 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
6
Holidays
1837
Canadian history 189 years ago
The Battle of Montgomery's Tavern, the only battle of the Upper Canada Rebellion, takes place in Toronto, where the rebels are quickly defeated.
Rebels are decisively defeated at the Battle of Montgomery's Tavern near Toronto, the sole armed conflict of the Upper Canada Rebellion.
History
What happened on December 7
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -43World history
Marcus Tullius Cicero is assassinated in Formia on orders of Marcus Antonius.
Marcus Tullius Cicero is killed in Formia on the order of Marcus Antonius.
- 574European history
Byzantine Emperor Justin II, suffering recurring seizures of insanity, adopts his general Tiberius and proclaims him as Caesar.
Byzantine Emperor Justin II declares his general Tiberius as Caesar.
- 927War
The Sajid emir of Adharbayjan, Yusuf ibn Abi'l-Saj is defeated and captured by the Qarmatians near Kufa.
Yusuf ibn Abi'l-Saj, the Sajid emir of Adharbayjan, is defeated and captured by the Qarmatians near Kufa.
- 1724Religion
Tumult of Thorn: Religious unrest is followed by the execution of nine Protestant citizens and the mayor of Thorn (Toruń) by Polish authorities.
Polish authorities execute nine Protestant citizens and the mayor of Thorn (Toruń) following violent religious unrest in the city.
- 1776US history
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, arranges to enter the American military as a major general.
Lafayette arranges to join the American military as a major general, pledging his support to the revolutionary cause.
- 1837Canadian history
The Battle of Montgomery's Tavern, the only battle of the Upper Canada Rebellion, takes place in Toronto, where the rebels are quickly defeated.
Rebels are decisively defeated at the Battle of Montgomery's Tavern near Toronto, the sole armed conflict of the Upper Canada Rebellion.
- 1842Culture
First concert of the New York Philharmonic, founded by Ureli Corelli Hill.
Ureli Corelli Hill founds the New York Philharmonic, which performs its first concert.
- 1932Science
German-born Swiss physicist Albert Einstein is granted an American visa.
Albert Einstein is granted a U.S. visa, allowing him to emigrate from Switzerland.
- 1988Disaster
The 6.8 Ms Armenian earthquake shakes the northern part of the country with a maximum MSK intensity of X (Devastating), killing 25,000-50,000 and injuring 31,000-130,000.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 devastates northern Armenia, killing up to 50,000 and injuring between 31,000 and 130,000 people.
- 2024War
Battle of Damascus (2024): Syrian opposition forces enter the Rif Dimashq Governorate, reaching within 20 km of the capital Damascus.
Syrian opposition forces advance into Rif Dimashq Governorate, coming within 20 kilometers of Damascus.
- 2025Politics
An attempted coup takes place in Benin, but is thwarted, and order restored.
A coup attempt in Benin is thwarted, and order is restored to the country.
- 2025Sports
British racing driver Lando Norris wins the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 2025 with McLaren.
Lando Norris wins the Formula One World Drivers' Championship with McLaren.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 7
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 32
Yuzuru Hanyu
Japanese figure skater
Yuzuru Hanyu, Japanese figure skater widely recognized as one of the greatest in history for his Olympic titles and transformative impact on the sport, turns 32 today.
Born
1994
Turns 32
today
Hilda Taba
Estonian architect, author, and educator
1902 – 1967
Nikola Vaptsarov
Bulgarian poet and author
1909 – 1942
Tino Martinez
American baseball player, coach, and sportscaster
b. 1967 · 59
Hermann Maier
Austrian skier
b. 1972 · 54
İbrahim Kutluay
Turkish basketball player
b. 1973 · 53
Alan Faneca
American football player
b. 1976 · 50
Music
The number one songs on December 7
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 7, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport December 7, 2025
British racing driver Lando Norris wins the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 2025 with McLaren.
Lando Norris wins the Formula One World Drivers' Championship with McLaren.
Read the story
🔬 Science December 7, 2015
The JAXA probe Akatsuki successfully enters orbit around Venus five years after the first attempt.
Akatsuki successfully orbits Venus five years after its initial failed attempt.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Armed Forces Flag Day (India)
International
The Armed Forces Flag Day or the Flag Day of India is a day dedicated to honouring the soldiers and veterans of India's armed forces
Eve of the Immaculate Conception-related observances: Day of the Little Candles, begins after sunset (Colombia)
International
Little Candles Day or Immaculate Conception Eve is a widely observed religious holiday in Colombia, celebrated on December 7, the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is a public holid
International Civil Aviation Day
International
In 1996, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that 7 December was to be the International Civil Aviation Day
National Heroes Day (East Timor)
International
The culture of Timor-Leste reflects numerous cultural influences, including Portuguese, Roman Catholic, and Malay, on the indigenous Austronesian cultures in Timor-Leste
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (United States)
International
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, also referred to as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or Pearl Harbor Day, is observed annually in the United States on December 7, to remember and honor the 2,403 Am
Spitak Remembrance Day (Armenia)
International
The following is a list of public holidays in Armenia