Vladimir Putin was inaugurated as President of Russia for his first term
The former KGB officer took over from Boris Yeltsin, who had resigned unexpectedly on New Year's Eve. Putin promised to restore order and stability to...
May 7 in History
Significant events that happened on this day.
Historical Events
2000
1998
Apple Computer unveiled the iMac G3, the translucent computer that saved the company from bankruptcy
MajorSteve Jobs revealed the candy-colored, all-in-one computer with the famous tagline 'There's no step 3!' in reference to its easy setup. The iMac's rev...
1992
The Space Shuttle Endeavour launched on its maiden voyage to rescue a stranded satellite
NASA's newest shuttle was built as a replacement for Challenger and named through a student essay competition. Its first mission successfully captured...
1977
Seattle Slew won the Kentucky Derby on his way to becoming the only undefeated Triple Crown winner
The dark brown colt was purchased for just $17,500 and would go on to win the Triple Crown without losing a single race. His owners, a couple of loggi...
1954
Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile barrier, running it in 3:59.4
MajorThe British medical student achieved what many scientists thought was physiologically impossible for humans. The achievement was front-page news world...
1952
The concept of the barcode was patented by inventors Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver
The technology wouldn't be used in stores until 1974, when a pack of Wrigley's gum became the first product ever scanned. Woodland got the idea while...
1946
Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation was founded, later becoming Sony
Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita started the company in a bombed-out department store with about 20 employees. They initially made rice cookers that burne...
1945
Germany unconditionally surrendered to Allied forces, ending World War II in Europe
MajorGeneral Alfred Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of all German forces at Allied headquarters in Reims, France. The surrender took effect the fol...
1937
A radio station in Oklahoma broadcast the first-ever recorded show from a moving vehicle
The experimental broadcast came from a car driving through Oklahoma City, with the announcer describing what he saw out the window. The technology was...
1915
The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat, killing 1,198 people
MajorThe luxury passenger ship was struck off the coast of Ireland during World War I, sinking in just 18 minutes. Among the dead were 128 Americans, an ev...
1875
Japan and Russia signed the Treaty of St. Petersburg, dividing control of the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin
In exchange for all of Sakhalin, Japan gave up its claims to the Kuril Islands. This seemingly straightforward deal would cause geopolitical headaches...
1833
Johannes Brahms was born in Hamburg, Germany, becoming one of the 'Three Bs' of classical music
Brahms would grow up to be considered one of history's greatest composers, often grouped with Bach and Beethoven as the 'Three Bs.' His lullaby, 'Brah...
1824
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony premiered in Vienna, featuring the famous 'Ode to Joy'
MajorThe legendary composer conducted the premiere himself, despite being almost completely deaf. He had to be turned around at the end to see the thundero...
1789
The first inaugural ball was held in New York City to celebrate George Washington's presidency
The event took place a week after Washington's inauguration and featured dancing, refreshments, and fireworks. Tickets cost a whopping seven dollars—r...