This Day In History, October 7th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on October 7th
1571: Conflict of Lepanto - On October 7th, 1571, a naval conflict took place near the Greek city of Lepanto between the Holy League (a coalition of Christian kingdoms) and the Ottoman Empire. The Holy League triumphed decisively, putting an end to the Ottoman Empire's advance into the Mediterranean.
1763: Royal Proclamation of 1763 - On October 7, 1763, King George III issued the Royal Proclamation of 1763, stating that colonists were not authorized to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains in order to avoid war with Native American tribes. This decree caused significant friction between colonists and the British administration.
Georgia Tech defeated Cumberland collegiate 222-0 in a collegiate football game in 1916. This is still the most lopsided college football game ever played.
1949: Following the end of World War II and the separation of Germany into two independent states, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was established on October 7, 1949. East Germany existed until 1990, when, following the collapse of the Berlin Wall, it was reunified with West Germany.
The hijacking of the Achille Lauro in 1985 Four Palestinian terrorists seized the Italian cruise liner Achille Lauro in the Mediterranean Sea on October 7, 1985. They requested the liberation of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. After the ship was intercepted by the US Navy, the terrorists surrendered to Egyptian authorities, bringing the hijacking to an end.
1571: Battle of Lepanto - A naval battle between the Holy League (a coalition of Christian states) and the Ottoman Empire took place on Oct 7th, 1571, near the Greek city of Lepanto. The Holy League won a decisive victory, halting the Ottoman Empire's expansion into the Mediterranean.
The Battle of Lepanto was a key event in European history because it represented a turning point in the long-running battle in the Mediterranean between the Ottoman Empire and several Christian nations. The Holy League's victory was viewed as a tremendous success since it not only halted Ottoman expansion into the Mediterranean, but also avoided an invasion of Italy. In certain regions of Europe, the battle is still remembered as a pivotal episode in the conflict between Christianity and Islam.
1763: Proclamation of 1763 - On Oct 7th, 1763, King George III issued the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which declared that colonists were not permitted to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains, in order to prevent conflict with Native American tribes. This proclamation was a major cause of tension between colonists and the British government.
The Proclamation of 1763 was a watershed point in the history of the United States, since many American colonists saw it as a violation of their rights and an attempt by the British government to limit their expansion and economic prospects. The proclamation also created a border line between British colonies and Native American territory, which was meant to lessen conflict between the two groups but was bitterly opposed by many colonists who considered it as an encroachment on their territorial rights. The 1763 Proclamation contributed to the colonial turmoil that eventually led to the American Revolution.
1916: Georgia Tech defeat Cumberland College in a college football game by a score of 222-0. This remains the most lopsided college football game in history.
The 1916 college football game between Georgia Tech and Cumberland College is still regarded as the most lopsided contest in college football history. Georgia Tech scored 32 touchdowns and kicked 18 extra points, while Cumberland College did not score. The game was meant to help Cumberland pay off a debt owed to Georgia Tech, but Cumberland was so outmatched that they were forced to utilize high school players and students who had never played football before. The game's conclusion was heavily criticized, and Georgia Tech's coach, John Heisman, was accused of padding the score. Heisman, on the other hand, defended the triumph, claiming that his side had just played the game as it was intended.
1949: The German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was founded on Oct 7th, 1949, following the end of World War II and the division of Germany into two separate nations. East Germany existed until 1990, when it was reunified with West Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The German Democratic Republic (GDR), popularly known as East Germany, was established on October 7, 1949, following Germany's split at the end of World War II. The GDR was created as a socialist state under Soviet authority, with East Berlin as its capital. It was one of the post-World War II Eastern Bloc governments that was formally recognized by the Soviet Union and other Communist countries. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union, the GDR was reunified with West Germany on October 3, 1990.
On Oct 7th, 1985, four Palestinian terrorists hijacked the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in the Mediterranean Sea. They demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The hijacking ended when the terrorists surrendered to Egyptian authorities after the ship was intercepted by the US Navy.
On October 7, 1985, the hijacking of the Achille Lauro was a high-profile terrorist attack. Four Palestinian Liberation Front (PLF) militants hijacked the Italian cruise liner Achille Lauro and kidnapped the passengers and crew, demanding the release of Palestinian detainees detained in Israeli jails. The hijackers specifically targeted Jewish passengers, threatening to murder them if their demands were not satisfied.
After the ship was intercepted by the US Navy, the hijackers surrendered to Egyptian authorities after several days. During the operation, one of the passengers, a wheelchair-bound American citizen named Leon Klinghoffer, was murdered by the hijackers and thrown overboard. The hijacking of the Achille Lauro was widely condemned by the international community and led to increased security measures on cruise ships and other passenger vessels.