previous year1999
2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
2010next year

Major Events of December 2007: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from December 2007 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of December 2007: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 2007 Benazir Bhutto Launches Election Campaign: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto officially began her campaign for the 2008 Pakistani general elections, marking a significant political moment.
  • 02 Dec 2007 Venezuela Constitutional Referendum: Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's proposed constitutional amendments are narrowly defeated in a nationwide referendum. The proposed changes would have concentrated almost all power in the executive branch and institutionalized socialism.
  • 03 Dec 2007 US Intelligence Report on Iran's Nuclear Program: The November 2007 United States National Intelligence Estimate reported with high confidence that Iran had stopped its nuclear weapons program in fall 2003 and was unlikely to have restarted it, significantly impacting international diplomatic relations.
  • 04 Dec 2007 Lawsuit Challenging Religious References on US Currency: Michael A. Newdow, an attorney and founder of the First Amendmist Church of True Science, initiated legal challenges against government-sanctioned religious references, specifically targeting the phrase 'In God We Trust' on American currency and seeking to uphold strict separation of church and state.
  • 05 Dec 2007 Westroads Mall Shooting: A tragic mass shooting occurred at Von Maur department store in Omaha, Nebraska, where 19-year-old Robert A. Hawkins killed nine people before taking his own life, using a WASR-10 semi-automatic rifle. This devastating incident shocked the local community and reignited national discussions about gun violence.
  • 06 Dec 2007 CIA Admits to Destroying Interrogation Videotapes: Following congressional investigation, the CIA acknowledged destroying at least two videotapes documenting interrogations of al-Qaeda operatives, raising significant legal and ethical questions.
  • 07 Dec 2007 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: The 66th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor was commemorated at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, featuring a solemn ceremony including a moment of silence, rifle salute, and wreath presentations to honor those who served and sacrificed during the historic attack.
  • 08 Dec 2007 Attack on Benazir Bhutto's Party Office: Benazir Bhutto, the first and only female Prime Minister of Pakistan, was targeted in an attack at her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) office. The incident resulted in the tragic death of three of her supporters by unknown gunmen.
  • 09 Dec 2007 Robert Pickton Murder Conviction: Robert Pickton was found guilty of second-degree murder for killing six women from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, concluding a high-profile criminal case that shocked Canada and highlighted issues of violence against marginalized women.
  • 10 Dec 2007 Putin Announces Medvedev as Successor: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced at a party meeting that Dmitry Medvedev would be his successor in the March 2008 presidential election, signaling a carefully orchestrated political transition.
  • 11 Dec 2007 Federal Reserve Rate Cut: The United States Federal Reserve cut federal funds rates by 25%, adjusting them to between 4.25% and 4.75%, signaling serious concerns about the potential economic impact of the subprime mortgage financial crisis.
  • 12 Dec 2007 Central Banks Coordinate Global Liquidity Response: Major central banks, including the Bank of England, Bank of Canada, European Central Bank, and Swiss National Bank, announced a coordinated plan to address potential liquidity crises in global money markets, demonstrating international financial cooperation during economic uncertainty.
  • 13 Dec 2007 Treaty of Lisbon Signed by European Leaders: European leaders formally signed the Treaty of Lisbon in Lisbon, Portugal, a pivotal moment in European Union integration that would reshape governance and decision-making processes across member states.
  • 14 Dec 2007 World Bank Poverty Alleviation Initiative: The World Bank successfully secured commitments from 45 countries, totaling US$25 billion in funding to support the world's poorest states over the next three years, demonstrating a significant global humanitarian effort.
  • 15 Dec 2007 UN Climate Change Conference Concludes: The 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference concluded with a landmark agreement to initiate a two-year process for developing a new comprehensive climate treaty, signaling global commitment to addressing climate change.
  • 16 Dec 2007 Turkish Military Operation in Northern Iraq: Turkish military conducted a cross-border operation against Kurdish rebel positions in northern Iraq, with 300 troops pursuing fighters from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), escalating tensions in the region.
  • 17 Dec 2007 Putin's Political Transition Plan: Vladimir Putin announced his plan to become Prime Minister after completing his presidential term, signaling a strategic political maneuver to maintain significant influence in Russian governance.
  • 18 Dec 2007 CIA Interrogation Videos Controversy: United States District Judge Henry Kennedy called for a hearing to investigate whether the Bush administration violated a court order by destroying CIA interrogation videos of two Al-Qaeda suspects.
  • 19 Dec 2007 CIA Tape Destruction Controversy: White House lawyers discuss the destruction of CIA tapes, prompting a judicial hearing to determine whether the tape destruction violated court orders, raising significant legal and ethical questions.
  • 20 Dec 2007 Queen Elizabeth II Becomes Oldest British Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II surpasses Queen Victoria's record, becoming the longest-lived monarch in United Kingdom history at 81 years, 7 months, and 29 days.
  • 21 Dec 2007 Queen Elizabeth II Becomes Longest-Reigning British Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II surpassed Queen Victoria's record as the longest-lived monarch in United Kingdom history, marking a significant milestone in British royal heritage at 81 years and 7 months.
  • 22 Dec 2007 Turkish Military Operation Against PKK in Northern Iraq: The Turkish Air Force conducted airstrikes targeting Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) positions in northern Iraq, escalating cross-border military actions against the Kurdish militant group.
  • 23 Dec 2007 Nepal Abolishes Monarchy: The Nepalese parliament voted almost unanimously to abolish the 240-year-old monarchy, signaling a major political transformation in the country and marking the end of the Shah dynasty's rule.
  • 24 Dec 2007 Assassination of Benazir Bhutto: A devastating bomb explosion at an election rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, resulted in the tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and at least 20 other victims, marking a significant moment of political violence in Pakistan's history.
  • 25 Dec 2007 Baiji Suicide Bombing: A devastating suicide bombing attack in Baiji, Iraq results in the deaths of at least 34 people, underscoring the ongoing sectarian violence and instability in the region.
  • 26 Dec 2007 Deadly Landslides in Java, Indonesia: Torrential rains caused catastrophic landslides on the island of Java, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 78 lives and significant environmental damage.
  • 27 Dec 2007 Assassination of Benazir Bhutto: At an election rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, former Prime Minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated by a suicide bomber. The attack killed at least 20 others and triggered widespread violence that resulted in approximately 60 additional deaths. This shocking event occurred during her political campaign and significantly destabilized Pakistan's political landscape.
  • 28 Dec 2007 Assassination of Benazir Bhutto: Benazir Bhutto, a prominent Pakistani political leader and former Prime Minister, was assassinated by a suicide bomber in Rawalpindi following a political campaign rally. Her death marked a significant moment in Pakistani political history, creating substantial political instability and shock in the country.
  • 29 Dec 2007 New England Patriots Complete Perfect Regular Season: The New England Patriots achieved a historic milestone by defeating the New York Giants 38-35, becoming only the second team in NFL history to finish the regular season undefeated. This remarkable achievement showcased the team's exceptional performance and consistency.
  • 30 Dec 2007 2007 Kenyan Presidential Election Controversy: The Kenyan General Election of 2007 resulted in a highly disputed presidential race where incumbent Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner, defeating opposition leader Raila Odinga by 231,728 votes. The election was marred by significant irregularities, with European Union election observers raising concerns about the electoral process. Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement won a majority in parliament, but the election results sparked widespread protests, particularly in areas like Kibera, and ultimately led to significant political unrest.
  • 31 Dec 2007 Kenyan Presidential Election Riots: Violent unrest erupted in Kenya following the controversial presidential election on December 27, resulting in over 200 fatalities. The disputed election results triggered widespread ethnic tensions and political violence across the country, marking a significant moment of political instability in Kenya's democratic process.