December 7 is a day that marks one of the United States’ most significant stages of development, but it also marks one of the most tragic moments in American history. These two events occurred on the same calendar day, only separated by 154 years.
The First State
The United States famously declared independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, which is when the United States is considered to have become a sovereign nation, however, it could be said that the nation did not fully exist until its Constitution was ratified. The US Constitution wasn’t written until the year 1787, at a time when the Articles of Confederation were in effect.
On December 7, 1787, the state of Delaware became the first to ratify the US Constitution, making Delaware the first state under the Constitution; the Constitution eventually replaced the Articles of Confederation in 1789. This means that today is Delaware’s 236th birthday (under the Constitution.) Happy Birthday, Delaware!
The Day of Infamy
In December of 1941, World War Two had been waging for a few years, Nazi Germany had seized much of Europe, and one of Germany’s allies, Japan, had plans to cripple the United States’ Pacific fleet and to keep the United States from interfering with their expansion in the Pacific. On the 7th of that month, Japan launched its surprise attack on the United States at a time when America was determined to stay out of the war. The attack was carried out on Pearl Harbor in the Territory of Hawaii, where the Japanese had inflicted a few thousand casualties on the US, all of which were noncombatants. This action had shaken the entire United States, and it directly lead to the United States’ involvement in the war.
I find it intriguing, yet sobering, to note that the United States celebrated a new beginning and suffered one of its most appalling attacks on the same day of the year.
There are two other interesting events that have taken place on this day that I thought I should also include. On December 7, 1917, only months after the United States entered World War One, the US declared war on one of Germany’s allies: Austria-Hungary, and on December 7, 1972, NASA launched its Apollo 17 mission, which was the final mission of the Apollo program. Apollo 17 resulted in three moonwalks that each lasted more than seven hours, the most extensive lunar exploration of the Apollo Program, and even the collecting of 243 pounds of lunar material.
For those of you who like a list in chronological order, here are four of the most significant events in American history that took place on this day.
December 7, 1787
Delaware became the first state to ratify the US Constitution.
December 7, 1917 (130 years later)
The United States declared war on Austria-Hungary during World War One.
December 7, 1941 (24 years later)
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, prompting the United States to enter World War Two.
December 7, 1972 (31 years later)
Apollo 17, the final mission of the Apollo program, was launched; as of December 2023, no one has set foot on the moon since Apollo 17, however, this could soon change with the upcoming Artemis 3 mission.
Most of the time I will ask a question at the end of a post; now it’s your turn!
Onward American 