What Happened On
First Elected African-American U.S. State Governor
November 7, 1989
Douglas Wilder is elected governor of Virginia, making him the first elected African-American U.S. State governor and the first African-American state governor since P. B. S. Pinchback more than one hundred years earlier.
Arab Oil Embargo
November 7, 1973
U.S. President Richard Nixon declares a national energy crisis in response to the Arab Oil Embargo. The previous month, OAPEC (Arab members of OPEC plus Egypt and Syria) declared an oil embargo on the U.S., Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, and the U.K. for supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War. The embargo targeted the U.S. for resupplying the Israeli military during the war. By the time the embargo was lifted in March, the price of oil had risen nearly 400%, from US$3 per barrel to nearly $12.
Nixon Re-Elected by Landslide
November 7, 1972
Despite the ongoing Watergate proceedings, U.S. President Richard Nixon is re-elected by a landslide. He received almost 18 million more popular votes than his Democratic opponent Senator George McGovern. This is the widest margin of any U.S. presidential election. Both he and Vice-President Spiro T. Agnew would resign before the term ended.
Ten years earlier to the day on November 7, 1962, Nixon lost the California gubernatorial election and it looked like his career in national politics was over. Nixon responded to the loss with his immortal words, "you won't have Nixon to kick around any more, because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference." But nonetheless, Nixon stayed in politics after all, eventually winning the Presidency.
You Won't Have Nixon to Kick Around Any More
November 7, 1962
Former U.S. Vice President (1953-61) Richard Nixon proclaims his immortal words: "you won't have Nixon to kick around any more, because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference." He made the pronouncement after his defeat in the 1962 California gubernatorial election. This looked to be the end of Nixon's role in national politics; however, six years later, he won the 1968 presidential election.
Nixon had also previously served as U.S. Senator (1950-1953) and was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1947-1950).
Top: Opening day and collapse, bottom: swaying in the wind
Top: Opening day and collapse, bottom: swaying in the wind
Tacoma Bridge Collapse
November 7, 1940
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed. It had just opened four months earlier. It was located in the U.S. state of Washington and was the word's third-longest suspension bridge at the time. Even while being constructed, winds caused the bridge to sway with the workers calling it "Galloping Gertie". During 40 mph (64 km/h) winds, the bridge began oscillating in an alternating twisting motion that gradually increased in amplitude until the deck tore apart.
The only fatality of the collapse was a dog named Tubby who was a passenger in the last car to drive onto the bridge. The driver of the car was unable to rescue the dog from the car due to the swaying and car sliding back and forth. He was barely able to make it off the bridge himself. During a lull in the winds, another attempt was made to save the dog, but failed when the frightened dog bit one of the would-be rescuers.
Banished for Preaching "Faith is Sufficient for Salvation"
November 7, 1637
Anne Hutchinson, the colonial religious leader, is tried for preaching that faith alone is sufficient for salvation. She was called an instrument of the devil and was condemned to banishment from the Massachusetts Colony.
$52 Million Art Theft
November 7, 1993
During the night, thieves cut a hole in the ceiling of the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm, Sweden. They stole five framed Picassos, one Picasso statue, and two framed Braques valued at $52 million. All six of the Picasso paintings and one of the Braque paintings have been recovered.
Photo Credit: Steve Lipofsky
Photo Credit: Steve Lipofsky
Magic Johnson Retires from Basketball Due to AIDS
November 7, 1991
Magic Johnson retires after learning he had contracted the AIDS virus. He came out of retirement less than a year later.
Gone with the Wind on Television
November 7, 1976
The first time the movie Gone with the Wind (1939) is broadcast on television, with the conclusion the following night. It received the highest rating to date for a movie on TV.
First Elected Black Mayors of Major U.S. Cities
November 7, 1967
Carl Stokes is elected Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio and Richard G. Hatcher is elected mayor of Gary, Indiana.
Studio One
November 7, 1948
The television adaption of the radio anthology series Studio One debuts on CBS TV. It went on to air 467 episodes, including the first screen adaptation of George Orwell's 1984 and Reginald Rose's drama Twelve Angry Men.
U.S. President Wins by One Electoral Vote
November 7, 1876
Rutherford B. Hayes wins the U.S. presidential election by a single electoral vote.
Battle of Tippecanoe
November 7, 1811
Future U.S. President William Henry Harrison came out the hero of this battle, thus years later providing him with the famous campaign slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" (John Tyler was the Vice-Presidential candidate).
Birthdays
Christopher Knight
Born November 7, 1957
American actor. TV: The Brady Bunch (1969-74, Peter Brady). After The Brady Bunch ended, Knight pursued a successful career in the computer industry, in which he co-founded a 3D graphics company, started Kidwise Learningware, and started his own TV tuner company, Eskape Labs, which was purchased by Hauppauge Computer Works in 2000.
Billy Graham (William Franklin Graham Jr.)
Born November 7, 1918 d. 2018
American evangelist. Graham was a spiritual adviser to every U.S. president from Harry S. Truman to Barack Obama. Due to his radio and TV crusades, Graham has preached the gospel to more people in person than anyone in history. He is considered one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century.
Leon Trotsky (Lev Davidovich Bronstein)
Born November 7, 1879 d. 1940
Russian revolutionary leader. He and Vladimir Lenin organized the October Revolution. He was assassinated in Mexico City by Ramón Mercader, a suspected agent of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Trotksy had been expelled from the Soviet Union in 1927.
Quote: "The end may justify the means, as long as there is something that justifies the end."
He took the name Trotsky from the German word trotz, for "defiance."
Trotsky also appeared in the American silent film My Official Wife (1916) using the name Mr. Brown.
Pierre and Marie Curie in the laboratory (left) and Marie and a Mobile Military Hospital X-Ray-Unit
Pierre and Marie Curie in the laboratory (left) and Marie and a Mobile Military Hospital X-Ray-Unit
Madame Marie Curie
Born November 7, 1867 d. 1934
Polish-born French Nobel-winning physicist. She and her husband Pierre Curie were pioneers in the study of radioactivity.
During World War I, Curie developed mobile radiography units for use near the front lines to assist battlefield surgeons and also set up France's first military radiology center in 1914.
She died from aplastic anemia believed to have been caused by her long-term exposure to radiation. They had carried out much of their work without safety precautions, as the risks of exposure to ionizing radiation were not known at the time. Even to this day, all their papers from the 1890s, even her cookbooks, are too dangerous to touch. Their daughter Irène, and her husband Frédéric Joliot also died as a result of radiation exposure.
Christopher Daniel Barnes
Born November 7, 1972
American actor. TV: Day by Day (Ross Harper) and Spider Man (1994-98, voice of Spider Man). Film: The Little Mermaid (1989, Prince Epic).
Dana Plato (Dana Michelle Strain)
Born November 7, 1964 d. 1999
American actress. Plato starred as Kimberly Drummond in the TV show Diff'rent Strokes (1978-86).
In 1991 she robbed a video store with a pellet gun.
She was one of the first celebrities to star in a video game (1992, Night Trap).
She died of an overdose from a combination of the painkiller Lortab and the muscle-relaxant Soma. Her death was ruled a suicide due to her history of drug abuse. The previous day Plato had done an interview on The Howard Stern Show in which she claimed to be sober and drug free for the past 10 years, with the exception of pain killers prescribed for the recent extraction of her wisdom teeth.
Dan Goodwin (Daniel Goodwin)
Born November 7, 1955
American stunt man. In 1981, he climbed the Sears Tower (Chicago, Illinois), the Renaissance Tower (Dallas, Texas), and John Hancock Center (Chicago) using rope and suction cups while wearing a Spider-Man costume, earning the nickname "SpiderDan." The reason he made the climbs was to call attention to shortcomings in high-rise rescue and firefighting techniques. He also climbed the North Tower of the World Trade Center (1983, New York City), CN Tower (1986, Toronto, Ontario, Canada), Millennium Tower (2010, San Francisco, California), and Telephonic Building (Santiago, Chile) establishing a new world record for the longest lead climb on a single rope - 433 feet (132 m).
Subway Vigilante
Bernhard Goetz
Born November 7, 1947
American "Subway Vigilante." He shot four black youths in a N.Y. subway car, claiming he was frightened when they asked for five dollars. Goetz was seen as hero to many New Yorkers, who were tired of the crime in the city. In 1981, he was the victim of a mugging and was upset because the attacker spent less time in the police station than Goetz himself. He was further angered when his attacker was charged only with criminal mischief, for ripping Goetz's jacket. Goetz applied for a concealed handgun permit, but was denied. He then bought a 5-shot .38-caliber revolver which he carried illegally. In 1984, four youths who were on their way to steal from a video arcade, confronted Goetz on the subway asking for $5. Two of the youths had moved next to Goetz, blocking him from the other passengers. Believing that he was being set up for a mugging, Goetz pulled his gun and began shooting the youths, hitting one in the chest, one in the back, the third in the arm and left side, and the fourth in the spinal column paralyzing him.
Although at the time, the youths claimed they were only panhandling, one later admitted that they did indeed intend to rob Goetz.
He was acquitted of attempted murder and first-degree assault charges, but convicted of criminal possession of a weapon and served eight months in prison.
In a 1996 civil trial, the paralyzed youth was awarded $43 million dollars.
Joni Mitchell (Roberta Joan Anderson)
Born November 7, 1943
Canadian-American Grammy-winning Hall of Fame singer. Her 1971 album Blue is often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time.
Music: Both Sides Now (1969) and Big Yellow Taxi (1970).
Al Hirt (Alois Maxwell Hirt)
Born November 7, 1922 d. 1999
American Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter. Music: Java (1964, Grammy) and performed the theme song to The Green Hornet (1966).
Joe Cobb
Born November 7, 1915 d. 2002
American actor, appeared in 86 Our Gang films as Fat Joe.
Archie Campbell (right) on Hee Haw
Archie Campbell (right) on Hee Haw
Archie Campbell
Born November 7, 1914 d. 1987
American comedian. Known for the Hee Haw song PFFT! You Was Gone and his "Rindercella" routine in which she "slopped her dripper." TV: Hee Haw (1969-87).
Albert Camus
Born November 7, 1913 d. 1960
French Nobel-winning writer, philosopher. Quote: "Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend."
Grace Lantz (Grace Stafford)
Born November 7, 1903 d. 1992
American actress, wife of Walter Lantz. She provided the voice for her husband's famous creation Woody Woodpecker from 1950 to 1972 Note: Woody Woodpecker was originally voiced by Mel Blanc (1940-1941, 1948-1955) along with others.
Dean Jagger
Born November 7, 1903 d. 1991
American Oscar-winning actor. Film: Twelve O'Clock High (1949, Oscar).
Edward Benton Dodd
Born November 7, 1902 d. 1991
American cartoonist. Created Mark Trail (1946).
Deaths
Borman while orbiting the Moon aboard Apollo 8
Borman while orbiting the Moon aboard Apollo 8
Frank Borman
Died November 7, 2023 b. 1928
American astronaut. He was the command pilot for Apollo 8, making him part of the first crew to orbit the Moon (1968).
Photo Credit: jonl1973
Photo Credit: jonl1973
Leonard Cohen
Died November 7, 2016 b. 1934
Canadian Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer, songwriter. Music Hallelujah (1984, covered by John Cale and used in the movie Shrek).
Note: While the movie uses Cale's version, the Shrek soundtrack uses a version by Rufus Wainwright.
Steve McQueen (Terrence Stephen McQueen)
Died November 7, 1980 b. 1930
American actor, "The King of Cool." Film: The Blob (1958), The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963), Papillon (1973), and The Towering Inferno (1974).
John Nance Garner (John Nance Garner III)
Died November 7, 1967 b. 1868
American politician. 32nd U.S. Vice-President (1933-41), Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1931-33), U.S. House of Representatives (1903-33, Texas). Garner favored the prickly pear cactus for Texas' state flower, thus earning him the nickname "Cactus Jack" (The Bluebonnet was ultimately chosen). As the vice president had little power, Garner described the office as "not worth a bucket of warm piss."
Roosevelt in 1933 (left) and in 1898
Roosevelt in 1933 (left) and in 1898
Eleanor Roosevelt
Died November 7, 1962 b. 1884
American First Lady. She served as First Lady of the United States during her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms in office (1933-45). She was politically active, known for her support of civil rights, she was the first First Lady to hold regular press conferences, write a daily newspaper column, host a weekly radio show, and speak at a national party convention.
She also served as United States Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly from 1945 to 1952.
Count Leo Tolstoy
Died November 7, 1910 b. 1828
Russian novelist, religious prophet. Writings: War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1877).
Quote: "The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him." This has become known as "Tolstoy Syndrome".
Sundance and girlfriend Etta Place
Sundance and girlfriend Etta Place
Sundance Kid (Harry Longabaugh)
Died November 7, 1908 b. 1867
American outlaw, partner of Butch Cassidy and member of the Wild Bunch Gang. He and Cassidy were reported killed (1908) by Bolivian troops after a robbery.
Butch Cassidy (George LeRoy Parker)
Died November 7, 1908 b. 1866
American outlaw, boasted of never having killed a man. He and the Sundance Kid were reported killed in 1908 by Bolivian troops after a robbery, but his sister claimed he lived in the U.S. until 1937.
Dean Stockwell
Died November 7, 2021 b. 1936
American actor. TV: Quantum Leap (1989-1993, the holographic Al) and Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009, Brother Cavil).
First Woman U.S. Attorney General
Janet Reno
Died November 7, 2016 b. 1938
U.S. Attorney General (1993-2001, the first woman to hold the office). Known for her controversial handling of the Waco disaster and Elian Gonzalez incident.
Joe Frazier
Died November 7, 2011 b. 1944
American Hall of Fame heavyweight boxing champion (1970-73) and heavyweight Olympic gold medalist (1964).
Howard Keel (Harold Keel)
Died November 7, 2004 b. 1919
American actor. TV: Dallas (1981-91, Clayton Farlow). Film: Show Boat (1951), Kiss Me Kate (1953), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954).
Bill Hoest
Died November 7, 1988 b. 1926
American cartoonist. Creator of The Lockhorns (1968), Agatha Crumm (1977), Laugh Parade (1980), Howard Huge (1981), and What a Guy! (1986).