On this day: November 7
November 7, 1492: The Discovery of San Salvador
On November 7, 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas. This momentous event marked the first time that Europeans had set foot in the Americas since the Vikings had reached North America around 500 years earlier. Columbus’s voyage and subsequent discoveries would have a profound impact on world history, leading to the colonization of the Americas by European powers and the eventual establishment of the United States.
November 7, 1917: The October Revolution in Russia
On November 7, 1917, the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power in Russia in what came to be known as the October Revolution (due to the Julian calendar then in use in Russia). This event marked the beginning of the Soviet Union and the establishment of a communist government in Russia. The revolution would have far-reaching consequences, including the Russian Civil War and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
November 7, 1940: The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse
On November 7, 1940, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington state collapsed in a spectacular fashion, just a few months after it had opened to traffic. The bridge’s collapse was caused by strong winds that set up a dangerous oscillation in the structure, leading to its ultimate failure. The event remains a cautionary tale for engineers and serves as a reminder of the importance of considering environmental factors in the design of infrastructure.
November 7, 1989: The Fall of the Berlin Wall
On November 7, 1989, the East German government announced that it would allow its citizens to travel to the West, effectively opening the Berlin Wall for the first time in nearly three decades. The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the end of the Cold War and the beginning of the reunification of Germany. The event symbolized the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the triumph of democracy and freedom.
November 7, 2000: The Presidential Election in the United States
On November 7, 2000, the United States held a presidential election that would go down in history as one of the closest and most controversial in the nation’s history. The race between Republican candidate George W. Bush and Democratic candidate Al Gore came down to the state of Florida, where a recount was ordered due to the close margin of victory. The election results were ultimately decided by the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of Bush, leading to his inauguration as the 43rd President of the United States.
