December 7 lives in infamy as the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, drawing America into World War II.
Japan launched a surprise military strike on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing 2,403 Americans and sinking or damaging 21 ships. President Roosevelt called it 'a date which will live in infamy.'
The final Apollo mission launched, carrying astronauts Eugene Cernan, Harrison Schmitt, and Ronald Evans. The crew captured the famous 'Blue Marble' photograph and made the last human visit to the Moon.
Delaware became the first state to ratify the US Constitution, earning its nickname 'The First State.' The unanimous vote set the stage for other states to follow.
The great Roman orator and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero was assassinated on the orders of Mark Antony. His head and hands were displayed in the Roman Forum.
The United States declared war on Austria-Hungary, expanding its World War I involvement beyond Germany. The declaration brought American forces into combat on additional European fronts.
A devastating magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck northern Armenia, killing over 25,000 people and leaving 500,000 homeless. The disaster prompted an unprecedented international relief effort.
NASA's Galileo atmospheric probe entered Jupiter's atmosphere, transmitting data for 57 minutes before being crushed. It provided the first direct measurements of a gas giant planet.