Discover what happened on March 7 in history, along with notable celebrity birthdays and fun Days of the Year to celebrate.
What Happened on March 7 in History?
Important events on this day include Alexander Graham Bell receiving the patent for the telephone, the debut of “We Are the World,” and Mike Tyson becoming the youngest heavyweight boxing champion.
MARCH 7 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1854 – Charles Miller received a patent for the sewing machine.
1876 – Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for his telephone.
1908 – Cincinnati’s Mayor Leopold Markbreit announced before the city council that, “Women are not physically fit to operate automobiles.”
1911 – Willis Farnworth patented the coin-operated locker.
1927 – A Texas law that banned African Americans from voting was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
1935 – Malcolm Campbell set an auto speed record of 276.8 mph in Florida.
1955 – “Peter Pan” was presented as a television special for the first time.
1955 – Baseball commissioner Ford Frick said that he was in favor of legalizing the spitball.
1959 – Melvin C. Garlow became the first pilot to fly over a million miles in jet airplanes.
1975 – The U.S. Senate revised the filibuster rule. The new rule allowed 60 senators to limit debate instead of the previous two-thirds.
1983 – TNN (The Nashville Network) began broadcasting.
1985 – The song “We Are the World” was heard on the radio for the first time. With sales in excess of 20 million copies, it was one of the fewer than 30 all-time singles to have sold at least 10 million copies worldwide. The promotion and merchandise aided the success of “We Are the World” and raised over $63 million for humanitarian aid in Africa and the U.S.
1986 – Divers from the USS Preserver located the crew cabin of the Space Shuttle Challenger on the ocean floor.
1987 – Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight titleholder when he beat James Smith in a decision during a 12-round fight in Las Vegas, NV.
1994 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that parodies that poke fun at an original work can be considered “fair use” and do not require permission from the copyright holder.
2001 – A Kenyan businessman who lost his cell phone called the number from his home telephone — and heard his German Shepherd ringing. The dog underwent surgery to remove the phone.
2007 – NASA dumped “astronut” Lisa Nowak, who strapped on a diaper and drove from Houston, TX to Orlando, FL to confront another woman over the affair both were having with Shuttle Commander Bill Oefelein. Oefelein said that he had broken off his relationship with Nowak, and was involved with the other woman, Air Force Captain Colleen Shipman.
2007 – Former ‘N Sync singer Lance Bass signed a deal to write his autobiography.
2009 – NASA’s Kepler Mission, a space photometer for searching for extra-solar planets in the Milky Way galaxy, was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
2012 – The successor to Apple’s iPad2 was unveiled.
2017 – A windstorm started in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and then stretched across the entire state the following day. Approximately one-third of the state’s nearly 10 million people lost power. More than 1,000 Consumers Energy poles were toppled and 4,000 wires fell to the ground.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON MARCH 7:
Janet Guthrie – 88 years old (1938) – Race car driver
Daniel J. Travanti – 86 years old (1940) – Actor
Michael Eisner – 84 years old (1942) – Businessman
Bob Herbert – 81 years old (1945) – Journalist
Elizabeth Moon – 81 years old (1945) – Author
Peter Wolf – 80 years old (1946) – Singer-songwriter and musician
Billy Joe DuPree – 76 years old (1950) – Football player
Ernie Isley – 74 years old (1952) – Guitarist and songwriter
Lynn Swann – 74 years old (1952) – Football player, sportscaster, and politician
Bryan Cranston – 70 years old (1956) – Actor, director, and producer
Rick Bass – 68 years old (1958) – Author and environmentalist
Tom Lehman – 67 years old (1959) – Golfer
Donna Murphy – 67 years old (1959) – Actress and singer
Nick Searcy – 67 years old (1959) – Actor
Joe Carter – 66 years old (1960) – Baseball player
Jim Spivey – 66 years old (1960) – Runner and coach
Mary Beth Evans – 65 years old (1961) – Actress
Taylor Dayne – 64 years old (1962) – Singer-songwriter and actress
Bret Easton Ellis – 62 years old (1964) – Author and screenwriter
Wanda Sykes – 62 years old (1964) – Comedian, actress, and screenwriter
Jeff Feagles – 60 years old (1966) – Football player
Jeff Kent – 58 years old (1968) – Baseball player
Peter Sarsgaard – 55 years old (1971) – Actor
Jay Duplass – 53 years old (1973) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
Jenna Fischer – 52 years old (1974) – Actress
Audrey Marie Anderson – 51 years old (1975) – Actress and model
T. J. Thyne – 51 years old (1975) – Actor
Laura Prepon – 46 years old (1980) – Actress
Steve Burtt Jr. – 42 years old (1984) – American-Ukrainian basketball player
Brandon T. Jackson – 42 years old (1984) – Actor and comedian
Ryan Ciminelli – 40 years old (1986) – Bowler
Jeff Withey – 36 years old (1990) – Basketball player
Ian Clark – 35 years old (1991) – Basketball player
Chase Kalisz – 32 years old (1994) – Swimmer
Jake Layman – 32 years old (1994) – Basketball player
Haley Lu Richardson – 31 years old (1995) – Actress
Amanda Gorman – 28 years old (1998) – Poet and activist
Kiyan Anthony – 19 years old (2007) – Basketball player
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR MARCH 7:
- Plant Power Day: Delicious creations from nature's bounty, plates filled with vibrant colors and enticing flavors that fuel the body and support the planet.
- National Cereal Day: Start your day off right with a bowl of crunchy goodness, complete with milk and your favorite fruits. It's breakfast time!
- Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race:
- Open Data Day: A wellspring of knowledge, freely shared, powering innovation, transparency, and progress in our interconnected world.
- World Information Architecture Day:
- National Sock Monkey Day: These soft, colorful, cuddly companions are a fun way to add some personality to any room — perfect for both kids and adults alike!
- National Crown Roast of Pork Day: A magnificent culinary creation — a pork masterpiece that's as regal as it is delicious, fit for a feast to remember.
- National Flapjack Day: Providing a perfect opportunity to celebrate something amazing that often gets overlooked, National Flapjack Day is here to encourage the celebration of this simple but incredible little breakfast food.
- National Be Heard Day: It's like trying to get noticed in a sea of people, but small businesses are scrappy, and with creativity and perseverance, they can succeed.
- Alexander Graham Bell Day: With just one invention, he changed the world, making long-distance communication possible, and paving the way for modern communication.
- National Chefwear Day:
- Teen Tech Week: Libraries evolve with technology, offering digital tools and resources for research, learning, and exploration beyond books.
- Peace Corps Week: Every year, hundreds of volunteers embark on a journey to serve in communities around the world, bringing help and hope to those in need.
- Global Day of Unplugging: Unplug from the electronic world — experience nature, talk to people, and, if even for a short while, live life without screens.
- Termite Awareness Week:
- Make Mine Chocolate:
- National Professional Pet Sitters Week: Looking for someone to pamper your furry friends while you're away? Professional pet sitters have got you covered!
- Women in Aviation Week:
- Women in Construction Week:
- Read an E-Book Week: With an eBook, your entire library fits in your pocket! Plus, they're eco-friendly, cost-effective, and perfect for on-the-go reading.
- British Pie Week: A culinary tradition cherished across the British Isles, these savory delights encase rich fillings, embodying a heritage of comfort and satisfaction.
- National Consumer Protection Week: In a world of endless choices, consumer protection serves to safeguard and empower, ensuring fairness and accountability for all.
- National Invest in Veterans Week: Extending a helping hand to those who've served, ensuring a smooth transition to civilian life with care and respect.
- Dental Assistant Recognition Week: Brightening smiles and helping patients achieve healthy teeth, dental assistants make dental visits fun, comfortable, and stress-free!
- Rumba Festival:
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Week:
- National Ghostwriters Week:
- Will Eisner Week: The godfather of graphic novels, Will Eisner revolutionized the comics industry with his iconic characters and stunning artwork.
- Hearing Awareness Week:
- Celebrate Your Name Week:
- Words Matter Week: Clear expression connects people, conveys ideas, and shapes understanding, making writing and communication indispensable skills for life.
- Cheerleading Week: With infectious energy and unbeatable spirit, they fill the stands with enthusiasm and encourage their teams to victory.
- National School Social Work Week: With compassion and expertise, school social workers provide invaluable support in navigating academic, personal, and social challenges.
- Telecommuter Appreciation Week: From saving time and money, to being more productive, with remote work, more and more are enjoying the flexibility of working from home.
- National Green Week:
- Write a Letter Appreciation Week: With technology so handy, the joy of sending and receiving hand-written letters grows increasingly rare. Make a point to write a beautiful cursive letter.
- Return Borrowed Books Week: Few things are as satisfying as returning a stack of library books you've read cover to cover, ready to exchange for new adventures.
- Universal Human Beings Week: With empathy and compassion, our collective power to create, innovate, and inspire is what makes us unique.
- Ramadan: During this holy month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, focusing on spiritual reflection and community. Ramadan is a time for self-improvement and bringing people together in celebration of faith.
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For additional information check out websites like: www.on-this-day.com, www.born-today.com, www.famousbirthdays.com, www.daysoftheyear.com, and www.nationaldaycalendar.com.

