TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

Dec. 7, 1941

Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii as part of its plan to conquer Southeast Asian territories; the raid, which claimed some 2,400 American lives, prompted the United States to declare war against Japan the next day. ALSO ON THIS DATE

1787

Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

1842

The New York Philharmonic performed its first concert.

1911

China abolished the requirement that men wear their hair in a queue, or ponytail.

1917

During World War I, the United States declared war on Austria-Hungary.

1946

Fire broke out at the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta; the blaze killed 119 people, including hotel founder W. Frank Winecoff.

1972

America’s last moon mission to date was launched as Apollo 17 blasted off from Cape Canaveral. Imelda Marcos, wife of Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos, was stabbed and seriously wounded by an assailant who was shot dead by her bodyguards.