What Happened on July 7

Sports

1974 — West Germany Wins World Cup

West Germany conquer the Netherlands 2–1 in Munich — Müller breaks scoring record; penalties make final history.

West Germany is world champion for the second time, defeating the Netherlands 2–1 in the World Cup final before a packed Olympiastadion in Munich. The victory crowns a tournament that had seen the host nation struggle early, yet the team rallied to claim football's supreme prize.

The Dutch struck first through a Johan Neeskens penalty in the second minute, but Paul Breitner equalised from the spot in the 25th. Gerd Müller then delivered the winner in the 43rd minute, his 14th World Cup goal, surpassing Just Fontaine's record of 13.

The two penalties were the first ever awarded in a World Cup final. Five German players became the first to have won gold, silver and bronze at the World Cup.

• West Germany beat the Netherlands 2–1 in the final at the Olympiastadion in Munich.
• The Netherlands opened the scoring via a Johan Neeskens penalty in the second minute, before Paul Breitner equalised with another penalty in the 25th minute.
• Gerd Müller scored the winning goal in the 43rd minute, his 14th World Cup goal, beating Just Fontaine's record of 13.
• Five German players became the first to have won gold, silver and bronze medals at the FIFA World Cup.
• The two penalties in the final were the first to be awarded in a World Cup Final.

World Desk

1983 — Samantha Smith Meets Andropov

American girl, 10, arrives as Soviet leader's guest

A 10-year-old American girl has become an unlikely bridge between the superpowers. Samantha Smith of Manchester, Maine, arrived in the Soviet Union as the personal guest of Soviet leader Yuri Andropov. He invited her after she wrote to him in November 1982 asking if he would start a war. Andropov replied in April, inviting her to visit that summer, including a stay at the international children's camp Artek. Her letter, published in Pravda, made her a goodwill ambassador, known as America's Youngest Ambassador.

• Samantha Smith, age 10, wrote to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov in November 1982 asking if he would start a war.
• Andropov replied on April 26, 1983, inviting Smith to visit the Soviet Union that summer.
• Smith's letter was published in the Soviet state-run newspaper Pravda.
• Andropov's invitation included a visit to the international children's camp Artek on the sea.
• Smith attracted extensive media attention as a 'Goodwill Ambassador,' becoming known as America's Youngest Ambassador.

Foreign Desk

1963 — Saigon Police Beat U.S. Journalist; Camera Broken

Arnett punched, camera smashed; protest filed over 'open physical intimidation.'

The secret police of Ngo Dinh Nhu, brother and chief adviser to President Diem, attacked American journalists covering a Buddhist protest in Saigon today. Associated Press reporter Peter Arnett was punched in the nose and his camera smashed.

• On 7 July 1963, Nhu's secret police punched Associated Press reporter Peter Arnett in the nose and broke his camera.
• Malcolm Browne photographed Arnett's bloodied face; the film survived despite police smashing his camera.
• The attack occurred after journalists tried to photograph Buddhist protesters blocked by police near a Saigon pagoda.
• The incident, known as the Double Seven Day scuffle, embarrassed the Diem regime when Arnett's bloodied photo was published in US newspapers.
• The Saigon press corps formally protested Nhu's 'open physical intimidation' to prevent coverage of news Americans had a right to know.

Religion

1456 — Joan of Arc Declared Innocent of Heresy in Retrial

Twenty-five years after her death, church nullifies original verdict, citing improper procedures, deceit, and fraud.

Twenty-five years after her death, Joan of Arc has been declared innocent of heresy. On July 7, 1456, the church ruled that her original trial was invalid due to improper procedures, deceit, and fraud, clearing the name of the Maid of Orleans.

The retrial came after Joan's mother Isabelle Romée and her brothers Jean and Pierre petitioned Pope Callixtus III to reopen the case. Inquisitor-General Jean Bréhal investigated, and the appeal opened at Notre-Dame Cathedral on November 7, 1455, with Romée delivering an impassioned speech.

• The original trial of Joan of Arc was judged invalid due to improper procedures, deceit, and fraud on July 7, 1456.
• Joan's mother Isabelle Romée and brothers Jean and Pierre petitioned Pope Callixtus III to reopen the case.
• Inquisitor-General Jean Bréhal investigated the appeal at the request of Joan's surviving family.
• The retrial opened at Notre-Dame Cathedral on November 7, 1455, with Isabelle Romée delivering an impassioned speech.
• Pope Callixtus III appointed three French higher clergy to review the case with Inquisitor Bréhal.

Washington

1898 — McKinley Signs Annexation; Hawaii Now Ours

President approves joint resolution making the islands a United States territory.

President McKinley has signed the Newlands Resolution, annexing the Republic of Hawaii as a territory of the United States. The measure, sponsored by Representative Francis G. Newlands of Nevada, passed both houses of Congress by wide margins.

McKinley chose a joint resolution to avoid the two-thirds Senate vote required for a treaty. He told Secretary Cortelyou, "We need Hawaii just as much and a good deal more than we did California. It is manifest destiny."

He warned that delay would invite a royalist counter-revolution or a Japanese takeover. The islands are expected to become the Territory of Hawaii in 1900.

• President McKinley signed the Newlands Resolution into law on July 8, 1898, annexing the Republic of Hawaii.
• The resolution was sponsored by Democratic Representative Francis G. Newlands of Nevada and passed both houses of Congress by wide margins.
• McKinley told his secretary Cortelyou, "We need Hawaii just as much and a good deal more than we did California. It is manifest destiny."
• McKinley supported annexation by joint resolution to avoid needing two-thirds Senate approval for a treaty.
• The annexed Hawaii became the Territory of Hawaii in 1900.

Foreign Affairs

1937 — Peel Report Urges Partition of Palestine

Royal commission declares Mandate unworkable, proposes two states.

The white-covered report landed on London desks with a single, stunning recommendation: the Mandate for Palestine is unworkable. The Peel Commission, publishing its findings today, urged partition of the British-administered territory into two states.

The cabinet endorsed the plan in principle but asked for further information. The Arab Higher Committee rejected a Jewish state, demanding an independent Palestine with protection of legitimate Jewish rights.

The 1937 Zionist Congress refused the specific scheme but accepted the principle, empowering leaders to negotiate. The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Amin al-Husseini, refused even the idea of partition and declined to consider it.

• The Peel Commission report on July 7, 1937, for the first time declared the League of Nations Mandate unworkable and recommended partition.
• The British cabinet endorsed the partition plan in principle but requested more information.
• The Arab Higher Committee opposed a Jewish state, calling for an independent Palestine with protection of legitimate Jewish rights.
• The 1937 Zionist Congress rejected the specific partition plan but did not reject the principle, empowering leadership for negotiations.
• Amin al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, refused the principle of partition and declined to consider it.

Army Correspondence

1777 — British Catch 200 at Hubbardton; Fraser Victorious

Riedesel's arrival turns tide; Americans lose Colonel Francis.

The King's forces have struck a sharp blow, capturing more than 200 men at Hubbardton and halting the American retreat from Ticonderoga. General Simon Fraser led the pursuit that caught the rear guard under Seth Warner, including the Green Mountain Boys and the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment.

German General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel arrived with reinforcements, turning the battle against the Americans. Colonel Ebenezer Francis of the 11th Massachusetts Regiment fell in a volley of musket fire.

The British took such losses that they did not pursue the main army further. This was the only battle of the Revolution fought in Vermont.

• British General Simon Fraser led the pursuit that caught the American rear guard at Hubbardton on July 7, 1777.
• The American rear guard was commanded by Seth Warner and included the Green Mountain Boys and the 2nd New Hampshire Regiment.
• German General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel arrived with reinforcements during the battle, turning the tide against the Americans.
• Colonel Ebenezer Francis of the 11th Massachusetts Regiment was killed in a volley of musket fire during the battle.
• The battle took a large enough toll on British forces that they did not further pursue the main American army.

Congressional Report

1798 — Congress Nullifies French Treaties; Quasi-War Looms

Offended by XYZ demands, lawmakers end alliance and ready frigates.

In the annals of the young republic, few acts have carried so swift a consequence as the one Congress performed this day. Outraged by the XYZ Affair, in which French agents demanded bribes from American diplomats, the Senate and House voted to nullify the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France, setting the stage for an undeclared naval war.

Lawmakers also authorized the acquisition of twelve frigates to strengthen the fleet. The popular Federalist toast, "Millions for defense but not one cent for tribute," captures the mood of the hour. War, if it comes, will be fought entirely at sea.

• On July 7, 1798, the U.S. Congress voted to nullify the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France.
• Two days later, on July 9, Congress authorized attacks on French warships.
• Congress also authorized the acquisition of twelve frigates to increase military readiness.
• The slogan "Millions for defense but not one cent for tribute" became a popular Federalist toast.
• The XYZ Affair, where French agents demanded bribes from American diplomats, triggered the treaty's nullification.

Europe Desk

1991 — Brioni Pact Ends Slovenian War, But Tensions Remain

Slovenia and Croatia agree to suspend independence moves for three months, while the Yugoslav People's Army begins withdrawal.

European Community mediators, led by Luxembourg's Jacques Poos, Italy's Gianni de Michelis and the Netherlands' Hans van den Broek, secured a peace accord on the Brijuni Islands on 7 July 1991, ending the Ten-Day War between the Yugoslav federation and Slovenia. Under the Brioni Agreement, Slovenia and Croatia agreed to suspend activities stemming from their 25 June declarations of independence for three months. The pact also mandated an exchange of prisoners of war and resolved border control and customs inspection issues along Slovenia's frontiers. Eleven days after the signing, the federal government pulled the Yugoslav People's Army out of Slovenia. The agreement isolated federal prime minister Ante Marković and effectively stopped federal influence over Slovenia, leaving the republic's future uncertain.

• The Brioni Agreement was signed on the Brijuni Islands on 7 July 1991.
• Slovenia and Croatia agreed to suspend activities stemming from their 25 June declarations of independence for three months.
• The agreement mandated an exchange of prisoners of war and resolved border control and customs inspection issues regarding Slovenia's borders.
• Eleven days after the agreement, the federal government pulled the Yugoslav People's Army out of Slovenia.
• The EC delegation that negotiated the agreement included foreign ministers Jacques Poos, Gianni de Michelis, and Hans van den Broek.