On 7 September in poetry and history
Poets born or who died on this date, plus historical events that happened on this day across history.
610 poets with calendar dates · 6,535 events with calendar dates in the catalogue
1 birthday · 4 death anniversaries · 7 world events on 7 September
Birthdays
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Elinor Wylie
7 September 1885 – 16 December 1928 (~43)
Born 7 September 1885 — would have been 141 in 2026
Death anniversaries
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Hannah More
2 February 1745 – 7 September 1833 (~88)
Died 7 September 1833 — 193 years ago on this date
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Sidney Lanier
3 February 1842 – 7 September 1881 (~39)
Died 7 September 1881 — 145 years ago on this date
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John Greenleaf Whittier
17 December 1807 – 7 September 1892 (~85)
Died 7 September 1892 — 134 years ago on this date
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Henry Augustin Beers
2 July 1847 – 7 September 1926 (~79)
Died 7 September 1926 — 100 years ago on this date
World events on this day
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The Turtle: First Submarine Used in Combat
On September 7, 1776, David Bushnell's one-man submersible, the Turtle, attempted to attach an explosive charge to the HMS Eagle in New York Harbor during the American Revolutionary War. Although the attack failed, the Turtle was the first submarine ever used in combat, marking a significant milestone in naval warfare.
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Brazilian Declaration of Independence
On September 7, 1822, Prince Pedro declared Brazil's independence from Portugal, marking the birth of the Empire of Brazil. This declaration was a significant step in the broader context of Latin American independence movements, which sought to break free from colonial rule. Pedro's leadership and the subsequent establishment of a constitutional monarchy helped to stabilize the nation during a tumultuous period. Brazil's independence also inspired other nations in the region to pursue their own sovereignty.
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First Electronic Television Transmission
On September 7, 1927, Philo Farnsworth demonstrated the first fully electronic television system, a groundbreaking achievement that would revolutionize communication and entertainment. This invention marked the transition from mechanical to electronic television, paving the way for the modern broadcasting industry. Farnsworth's work laid the foundation for the television as we know it today, influencing culture and society in profound ways.
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Tasmanian Tiger Declared Extinct
In 1936, the last known Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, was declared extinct after it died in Hobart Zoo. This extinction was largely attributed to habitat fragmentation, hunting bounties, and disease, highlighting the impact of human activity on wildlife. The loss of the Tasmanian tiger serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and the need to protect endangered species from similar fates.
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Miss America Protest: Feminists Throw Bras into the Freedom Trash Can
On September 7, 1968, members of New York Radical Women protested the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, throwing symbols of 'women's oppression' — including bras, girdles, curlers, and copies of women's magazines — into a 'Freedom Trash Can.' Though no bras were actually burned (the protesters were denied a permit to light a fire on the boardwalk), the event was widely misreported as a 'bra burning' and the term entered popular culture as the defining symbol of second-wave feminist rebellion. The protest became one of the most iconic acts of feminist performance in American history.
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Jesse James Gang's Northfield Raid
The Northfield Raid in 1876, executed by the infamous Jesse James Gang, ended in failure and chaos during a bank robbery attempt in Northfield, Minnesota. The gang faced fierce resistance from townspeople, leading to a violent shootout that resulted in several deaths and the capture of gang members. This event heightened the notoriety of the James-Younger Gang and marked a turning point in the public's perception of outlaw culture in the American West.
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Death of Henry Augustin Beers
Henry Augustin Beers passed away on September 7, 1926, in New Haven, Connecticut. His death marked the end of a significant chapter in American literature, as he had contributed to both poetry and literary criticism throughout his life. Beers's legacy continues to influence writers and scholars today.