Birthdays & Historical Events – February 7

1817

1817

Baltimore, Maryland becomes the first American city to become lit with gaslight

Baltimore, Maryland becomes the first American city to become lit with gaslight. Market and Lemon Streets (now known as North Holliday Street and East Baltimore Street today) were the first public lighting in the city.

February 7, 1817

1964

1964

The Beatles arrive in (or invade) the United States

The Beatles arrive in (or invade) the United States. Beatlemania begins.

February 7, 1964

1971

1971

Swiss women were granted the right to vote

Swiss women were granted the right to vote. Since 1868, Swiss women had been demanding the right to vote and every time it was denied. Nearly every two decades women’s suffrage would be brought before the various committees, councils, and Parliament, and the motions were ignored or passed on. The European Convention on Human Rights brought the issue to the table once again and finally, in 1971, Swiss women had a voice. However, there were still many regions in Switzerland that did not allow women the vote at certain levels of Swiss elections. It wouldn’t be until 1991 that women could vote at all levels of Swiss elections.

February 7, 1971

1976

1976

Speedskater Sheila Young becomes the first American to win

Speedskater Sheila Young becomes the first American to win three Winter Olympic medals. During the Innsbruck Winter Olympics in 1976, Young brought home medals in the following events:

February 7, 1976

1984

1984

The space shuttleChallengerastronauts Bruce McCandless II and Robert L

The space shuttleChallengerastronauts Bruce McCandless II and Robert L. Stewart complete the first untethered spacewalk during their STS-41B mission.

February 7, 1984

2021

2021

Sarah Thomas becomes the first woman to referee a Super Bowl championship game

Sarah Thomas becomes the first woman to referee a Super Bowl championship game. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9. February 7th Celebrated Birthdays

February 7, 2021