Fact 1: Historical Significance
On April 7, 1945, during World War II, the Japanese battleship Yamato, one of the biggest battleships ever built, was sunk by American forces. Thought to be virtually unsinkable, the Yamato had been widely considered as a significant symbol of Japanese imperial power. Its sinking marked a defining moment in the Pacific War.
Fact 2: World Health Day
April 7 holds a special place in global public health. The World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates World Health Day on April 7 each year. Established in 1950, the day raises awareness about a specific health theme or issue each year, ranging from mental health to climate change.
Fact 3: An Important Birthdate for International Politics
William R. King, the 13th Vice President of the United States under President Franklin Pierce, was born on April 7, 1786. Interestingly enough, William was VP for just 45 days before he died, making his tenure the shortest in U.S history.
Fact 4: Remarkable Movie Release
"Ordinary People," the movie that won four Academy Awards – Best Picture, Best Director (Robert Redford), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Timothy Hutton), was released in New York City on April 7, 1980. The film is considered a classic in American cinema.
Fact 5: Internet Hallmark
It was on April 7, in the year 1969 that the first Request for Comments (RFC), the method of developing and sharing research work was published. This system is now extensively used for developing new protocols for the internet.
Fact 6: A Stars Birth
Russell Crowe, the Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in movies such as "Gladiator" and "A Beautiful Mind," was born on April 7, 1964. He is one of the most celebrated actors of his generation.
Fact 7: The Curtains go Up
The curtain on the classic musical "South Pacific" rose for the first time on Broadway on April 7, 1949. The Rodgers and Hammerstein creation won 10 Tony Awards and set the standard for musical theater.
Fact 8: A Great Day for Writers
World-renowned authors William Wordsworth (1770), and Gabriele d'Annunzio (1863) were both born on April 7. These literary giants contributed immensely to the world of poetry and literature.
Fact 9: A Pioneering Aviator's Birthday
Allan Haines Loughead, an American aviation pioneer, and co-founder of the Lockhead Corporation, was born on April 7, 1889. Lockheed Corporation stood out to be one of the largest aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies company of its time.
Fact 10: A Significant Sporting Event
The first long-distance also, the first interstate, television broadcast occurred on April 7, 1927, featuring a speech by the then Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover, and featured a live boxing match.
Fact 11: Journey to the Stars
On April 7, 2001, Mars Odyssey was launched from Cape Canaveral, marking one of NASA's many extraordinary achievements in space exploration.
Fact 12: An Iconic Musical Talent's Birth
Music lovers may know this – the singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer, Billie Holiday was born on April 7, 1915. She is adored and revered even today for her vocal delivery and improvisational skills.
Fact 13: Tasty Celebration
April 7 is also celebrated as National Beer Day in the United States. It marks the day that the Cullen-Harrison Act was enacted, allowing for the sale of beer with an alcohol content of 3.2%.
Fact 14: A Medical Marvel
Francis Peyton Rous, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1966 for his seminal work discovering viruses causing cancer, was born on April 7, 1879.
Fact 15: The Birth of High Five
The high five, a popular celebratory hand gesture, was supposedly invented on April 7, 1977, by Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke, members of Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Fact 16: Rwanda Genocide Day
April 7 also marks a tragic and significant day in history. On this day in 1994, a massive genocide in Rwanda began, resulting in the horrific deaths of an estimated 800,000 to 1 million Tutsi.
Fact 17: Music Meets Literature
Leonard Cohen, a poet, novelist, and songwriter known for his baritone voice and hits like "Hallelujah," released his first album "Songs of Leonard Cohen" on April 7, 1967.
Fact 18: A Special Day for Coffee Lovers
April 7 is recognized as National Coffee Cake day in the United States, a day dedicated to celebrate the sweet delight often enjoyed with a cup of coffee.
Fact 19: The DiGiorgio Corporation Beginning
Joseph DiGiorgio, the founder of The DiGiorgio Corporation, one of America's largest agricultural companies, was born on April 7, 1887.
Fact 20: Breaking Barriers in Journalism
The first woman to ever anchor a daily prime-time network television news show, Jessica Savitch made her debut on PBS’ nightly newscast on April 7, 1975.