On this day, October 7 - Know what happened today in history

On October 7, several notable events took place, shaping history and impacting the world in different ways. From the start of a major global conflict to groundbreaking space discoveries, this date holds key moments worth remembering.

2001: The War in Afghanistan Begins

On this day in 2001, American and British forces launched air strikes against Al Qaeda and Taliban targets. The action followed the Taliban’s refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 terrorist attacks. Codenamed "Operation Enduring Freedom," the military campaign marked the start of the War on Terror, as the U.S. and its allies sought to dismantle Al Qaeda’s influence in Afghanistan.

1996: Fox News Launches for the First Time

Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News Channel made its debut on this day in 1996. The 24-hour news network, launched with the slogan "Fair and Balanced," quickly grew into one of America’s most-watched sources of news. Its rise shaped the landscape of media and television in the U.S.

1959: First Glimpse of the Moon’s Dark Side

On October 7, 1959, Soviet spacecraft Luna 3 provided the first images of the Moon's far side. The probe covered about 70% of the Moon’s dark side, which is never visible from Earth. These images helped astronomers produce the first atlas of the Moon's far side. This achievement was a significant leap in space exploration, revealing more about our closest celestial neighbour.

1944: Auschwitz-Birkenau Sonderkommando Revolt

On this day in 1944, a brief but intense revolt took place at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Prisoners working in the crematorium staged a rebellion after learning they were to be executed. The uprising was quickly suppressed, resulting in the deaths of more than 450 people. This moment symbolised the desperation and resistance faced by those imprisoned in the Holocaust.

1919: KLM Airline is Formed

KLM, the official airline of the Netherlands, was founded on this day in 1919. It is the world’s oldest airline that still operates under its original name. Its first flight occurred in May 1920 between London and Amsterdam, laying the groundwork for the airline’s continued success.

Notable Births on October 7

• 1982: Jermain Defoe, English footballer.
• 1967: Toni Braxton, American singer-songwriter, actress.
• 1952: Vladimir Putin, Russian politician, current president.
• 1931: Desmond Tutu, South African archbishop, Nobel laureate.
• 1885: Niels Bohr, Danish physicist, Nobel laureate.

Notable Deaths on October 7

• 2012: Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano, Mexican drug lord.
• 1896: Emma Darwin, wife of Charles Darwin.
• 1849: Edgar Allan Poe, American author and poet.
• 1792: George Mason, American politician.
• 1708: Guru Gobind Singh, Indian religious leader.