This Day in History: August 7
Here are 5 significant events that occurred on August 7 throughout history, spanning war, innovation, civil rights, and exploration.
1782 – Washington Creates the Badge of Military Merit
Event: General George Washington establishes the precursor to the Purple Heart.
In the midst of the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington recognized the need to honor the service of common soldiers, not just officers. On August 7, 1782, he created the Badge of Military Merit, awarded for “any singularly meritorious action.” Only three soldiers are known to have received the original badge. The award was discontinued after the war but revived in 1932 as the Purple Heart, now one of the most recognized U.S. military honors.
Significance: This marked one of the first times enlisted soldiers were publicly acknowledged for valor and sacrifice. Today, the Purple Heart continues to symbolize bravery and sacrifice in combat.
Lesser-known Fact: The original Badge of Military Merit was heart-shaped and made of purple cloth—echoing the modern design almost 150 years later.
1942 – U.S. Marines Land on Guadalcanal
Event: The Battle of Guadalcanal begins during World War II.
On August 7, 1942, U.S. Marines landed on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, launching the first major Allied offensive against Japanese forces in the Pacific Theater. The battle would rage for six months, marked by brutal jungle warfare, naval clashes, and high casualties.
Significance: This was a turning point in WWII, shifting momentum to the Allies in the Pacific. It ended Japan’s expansion and began a long campaign of “island hopping” toward Japan.
Lesser-known Fact: Due to poor planning, the Marines were initially left without sufficient food and supplies, leading to severe hardship in the early days of the landing.
1964 – Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Passed
Event: U.S. Congress gives President Lyndon B. Johnson broad military powers in Vietnam.
Following disputed reports of attacks on U.S. naval vessels by North Vietnamese forces in the Gulf of Tonkin, Congress passed the resolution on August 7, 1964. It allowed the president to use military force without a formal declaration of war.
Significance: This resolution gave legal justification for large-scale U.S. military involvement in Vietnam, escalating into a long, costly, and controversial war that deeply impacted American politics, society, and foreign policy.
Lesser-known Fact: Years later, it was revealed that the second reported attack on the USS Maddox likely never happened—a fact that sparked widespread public distrust in government.
1990 – Operation Desert Shield Begins
Event: President George H.W. Bush deploys U.S. forces to Saudi Arabia.
In response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait on August 2, President Bush ordered troops to Saudi Arabia on August 7, 1990. This move launched Operation Desert Shield, designed to deter further Iraqi aggression and defend regional allies.
Significance: It marked the beginning of the Gulf War and reinforced America’s strategic role in Middle Eastern geopolitics. The operation eventually led to Operation Desert Storm in January 1991, a full-scale offensive that expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait.
Lesser-known Fact: Desert Shield was one of the fastest U.S. military mobilizations since World War II, with over 500,000 troops deployed in just five months.
2007 – Barry Bonds Breaks MLB Home Run Record
Event: Barry Bonds hits his 756th career home run.
On August 7, 2007, San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s longstanding MLB record by hitting his 756th home run. The historic hit came against the Washington Nationals’ pitcher Mike Bacsik at AT&T Park.
Significance: The record-breaking achievement was mired in controversy due to allegations of steroid use, sparking a national debate over performance-enhancing drugs and legacy in sports.
Lesser-known Fact: Despite holding the record, Bonds has never been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame—highlighting the deep ethical divides within the baseball community.
