September 7, Bishop Desmond Tutu becomes South Africa’s first Black clergyman
Remembering History: September 7th
Today is Sunday, Sept. 7, the 250th day of 2025. There are 115 days left in the year.
Today in history:
On Sept. 7, 1986, Bishop Desmond Tutu made history by becoming the first Black clergyman to lead the Anglican Church in southern Africa.
Also on this date:
In 1921, the inaugural Miss America Pageant took place in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
1940 saw the beginning of the intense bombing campaign of Britain by Nazi Germany during World War II, known as The Blitz, resulting in over 40,000 civilian deaths.
In 1943, a tragic fire at the Gulf Hotel in Houston claimed the lives of 55 individuals.
1963 marked the opening of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, with the enshrinement of its first 17 members.
In 1977, the Panama Canal Treaty was signed, paving the way for the U.S. to transfer control of the waterway to Panama by the end of 1999.
In 1996, the music world mourned the loss of rapper Tupac Shakur, who was shot and fatally wounded on the Las Vegas Strip.
2005 saw police and soldiers going door to door in New Orleans to evacuate remaining residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
And in 2021, El Salvador made history by becoming the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender.
Today’s Birthdays:
- Jazz musician Sonny Rollins celebrates his 95th birthday.
- Singer Gloria Gaynor turns 82 today.
- Actor Julie Kavner marks her 75th birthday.
- Rock singer Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders) celebrates her 74th birthday.
- Actor Corbin Bernsen turns 71.
- Actor Michael Emerson also celebrates his 71st birthday.
- Pianist-singer Michael Feinstein turns 69.
- Singer/songwriter Diane Warren also marks her 69th birthday.
- Actor J. Smith-Cameron celebrates her 68th birthday.
- Actor Toby Jones turns 59.
- Actor-comedian Leslie Jones (TV: “Saturday Night Live”) celebrates her 58th birthday.
- Actor Tom Everett Scott turns 55.
- Actor Shannon Elizabeth marks her 52nd birthday.
- Actor Oliver Hudson celebrates his 49th birthday.
- Actor Evan Rachel Wood turns 38.
- Olympic gold medal swimmer Ariarne Titmus celebrates her 25th birthday.
- Actor Ian Chen (TV: “Fresh Off the Boat”) turns 19.
