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On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
October 7
Events on This Day
-
1955
58 years ago
Writer Allen Ginsberg reads his poem “Howl” for the first time, rocking the Beat literary world.
-
1982
31 years ago
Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats opens on Broadway. It will run for a record 7,485 performances, second only to The Phantom of the Opera.
-
1993
20 years ago
The Nobel Committee announces that Toni Morrison is to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. She is the first African American woman to receive the honor.
-
2003
10 years ago
Arnold Schwarzenegger wins the election for governor of California.
October 7
Born on This Day
-
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu
Archbishop / 1931 -
Desmond Tutu is a South African Anglican cleric who is known for his role in the opposition to apartheid in South Africa.
Born: October 7, 1931
Age: 81 years old
Birthplace: Klerksdorp, South Africa
Occupation: Archbishop -
John Mellencamp
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Singers
- Famous Guitarists
John Mellencamp
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer / 1951 -
A pop sensation in the 1980s, singer-songwriter John Mellencamp has evolved into one of rock’s most enduring acts, and given voice to the small-town experience.
1951 | 61 years old
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer -
Yo-Yo Ma
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Columbia University Alumni
- Famous Grammy Winners
Yo-Yo Ma
Musician / 1955 -
Yo-Yo Ma is an acclaimed cellist and songwriter who has produced dozens of albums and won more than 15 Grammy Awards.
1955 | 57 years old
Musician -
Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Music Producer, Reality Television Star / 1959 -
Simon Cowell is a record producer and television personality known for his scathing critical remarks as a judge on the television show, "American Idol."
Born: October 7, 1959
Age: 53 years old
Birthplace: London, United Kingdom
Occupation: Music Producer, Reality Television Star -
Joy BeharJoy Behar
Comedian, Talk Show Host / 1942 -
Joy Behar is cohost of the ABC daily morning talk show The View, and host of her own The Joy Behar Show .1942 | 70 years old
Comedian, Talk Show Host -
Toni Braxton
- In these groups:
- Ladies of Pop Music
- Super Bowl Halftime Performers
- Soul Train Guests
Toni Braxton
Theater Actress, Television Actress, Singer / 1967 -
Toni Braxton is an R&B singer-songwriter and actress best known for the hits "Un-Break My Heart," "You Mean the World to Me" and "Breathe Again."
1967 | 45 years old
Theater Actress, Television Actress, ...
October 7
Died on This Day
-
Edgar Allan Poe
- In these groups:
- Fright Writers
- Imbibers
- Mysterious Deaths
Edgar Allan Poe
Writer / 1809 - 1849
American writer, critic and editor Edgar Allan Poe is famous for his tales and poems of horror and mystery, including The Raven.
Died: October 7, 1849
Age: 40 years old
Place: Baltimore, Maryland , United States
Occupation: Writer -
Oliver Wendell Holmes
- In these groups:
- Famous Academics
- Famous Teachers
- Famous Virgoans
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Educator, Doctor, Physiologist, Author, Poet / 1809 - 1894
Physician Oliver Wendell Holmes served as dean of Harvard Medical School, but was best known for his poetry and "Breakfast-Table" essays.1894 | 85 years old
Educator, Doctor, Physiologist, ... -
George Mason
- In these groups:
- Founding Fathers
- Famous Sagittarians
- Famous People Named George
George Mason
Political Leader / 1725 - 1792
George Mason was an American patriot who participated in the American Revolution and the Constitutional Convention and who was influential in penning the Bill of Rights.
1792 | 66 years old
Political Leader
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profile name: John Mellencamp profile occupation: Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
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profile name: Simon Cowell profile occupation: Music Producer, Reality Television Star
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profile name: Frederick Douglass Patterson profile occupation: Educator
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profile name: Orlando Hernández profile occupation: Baseball Player
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Upcoming Birthdays
-
César Milstein
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Immunologists
- Famous Scientists
César Milstein
Immunologist / 1927 - 2002
César Milstein developed monoclonal antibody production and received a Nobel Prize in 1984. Monoclonal antibodies are used in pregnancy tests and diagnosing diseases.October 8, 1927
Immunologist -
Jackson Browne
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Environmental Activists
- Famous Antiwar Activists
Jackson Browne
Environmental Activist, Anti-War Activist, Songwriter, Guitarist, Pianist / 1948 -
Jackson Browne is a folk singer-songwriter who released numerous hit records in the 1970s and '80s, including Late for the Sky. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
October 9, 1948
Musician -
Frederick Douglass Patterson
- In these groups:
- Famous Academics
- Famous Teachers
- Famous Libras
Frederick Douglass Patterson
Educator / 1901 - 1988
Educator Frederick Douglass Patterson served as president of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. He also founded the United College Negro Fund.October 10, 1901
Educator -
Orlando Hernández
- In these groups:
- Hispanic Athletes
- Famous Libras
- Famous Baseball Players
Orlando Hernández
Baseball Player / 1965 -
Orlando Hernández fled Cuba for America after being banned from baseball in 1997. He signed with the New York Yankees and helped them win three World Series.October 11, 1965
Baseball Player
Famous Libras
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Joseph Lowery
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Black Activists
- Famous Civil Rights Activists
Joseph Lowery
Civil Rights Activist, Minister / 1921 -
Civil rights leader, social activist and minister Joseph Lowery has fought against prejudice and discrimination against African-Americans for more than 50 years.
October 6, 1921
Civil Rights Activist, Minister -
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George Weah
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Antiwar Activists
- Famous Soccer Players
George Weah
Anti-War Activist, Soccer Player / 1966 -
Liberian soccer star George Weah was named African, European and World Player of the Year in 1995 and has since become a prominent humanitarian and politician.
October 1, 1966
Anti-War Activist, Soccer Player
