2007

2007 February 2025 2007 Portal:Current events/ border:no 3/3/3/3 Pakistan Khyber Pass IMG 9903.jpg Memorail of Benazir Bhutto.JPG GSU - Uhuru Park.jpg Noel 2007-11-02 1545Z.jpg Steve Jobs presents iPhone (cropped 3-2).jpg Bronze Soldier 12 May 2005.jpg Street View (4968652334).jpg Virginia Tech massacre Damiano photo from Holden Hall modified2.jpg Acidentetam9.jpg 272 From left to right, top to bottom: Aftermath of a collapsed bridge in Pakistan caused by the 2007 South Asian floods; Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan was assassinated; The 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis was a violent political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Kenya; Hurricane Noel killed 223 and carved a path of destruction across the Atlantic Ocean. The original iPhone is launched by Apple, marking a new era in cellphones and changing how people use them today; The previous monument location of the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn–a Soviet-era war memorial–was dismantled, sparking the Bronze Night movement; A car of Google Street View, launched that year; Seung-Hui Cho shoots and kills 32 at Virginia Tech before killing himself; TAM Airlines Flight 3054 crashed at Congonhas-São Paulo Airport after overrunning the runway, killing almost 200. 2007 2007 20072007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Yearhttp://ihy2007.org/ International Heliophysical Year IHY 2008-10-12 November 25, 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20051125155012/http://ihy2007.org/ dead and the International Polar Year.http://www.ipy.org/ International Polar Year 2007-2008 IPY 2008-10-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20081012130632/http://www.ipy.org/ October 12, 2008 live 2 Population The world population on January 1, 2007, was estimated to be 6.714 billion people and increased to 6.801 billion people by January 1, 2008.UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2024 An estimated 139.9 million births and 53.4 million deaths took place in 2007.UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2024 The average global life expectancy was 69.0 years, an increase of 0.4 years from 2006.UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2024 The estimated number of global refugees increased from 9.9 million to 11.4 million by the end of the year.UN High Commissioner for Refugees 2007 2 The largest sources of refugees were Afghanistan with 3.1 million people and Iraq with 2.3 million people.UN High Commissioner for Refugees 2007 8 Conflicts 2007 conflicts There were 34 conflicts in 2007 that resulted in at least 25 fatalities.Harbom Melander Wallensteen 2008 697 Four of these resulted in at least 1,000 fatalities: the Iraqi insurgency, the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, Eelam War IV in Sri Lanka, and the War in Somalia.Harbom Melander Wallensteen 2008 706–709 This was the first year since 1957 to have fewer than five such conflicts.Harbom Melander Wallensteen 2008 698 Conflicts in 2007 trended toward fragmentation as insurgencies, criminal organizations, and terrorist groups engaged with each other.Stepanova 2008 43–44 The Iraqi insurgency against the Multi-National Force – Iraq grew in 2007. Conflict rose between Sunni and Shia populations, and sectarian militias emerged. Despite making up a small portion of the insurgency, al-Qaeda in Iraq became a major perpetrator of mass-casualty attacks. The United States escalated its presence in Iraq with a surge of soldiers and the commencement of Operation Phantom Thunder to combat Al-Qaeda and other Islamist groups.Stepanova 2008 46–49 American soldiers launched a new attack on the Diyala Governorate as part of the Diyala campaign.Time 2008 58–59 Israel and Palestine made progress toward peace during the Annapolis Conference,Harbom Melander Wallensteen 2008 698 but Hamas defeated soldiers from the Palestinian Authority in a battle for the Gaza Strip and seized the territory.Time 2008 62 The Central African Bush War ended when rebels with the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity were granted amnesty, and the First Ivorian Civil War ended with the Ouagadougou Agreement that authorized the merger of the government and the Patriotic Movement of Ivory Coast rebel group. Progress was made in the Juba talks that moved Uganda closer to peace with the Lord's Resistance Army, but a permanent ceasefire was not obtained. A peace agreement was reached with the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development rebellion in Chad, but the rebels broke the agreement a month later.Harbom Melander Wallensteen 2008 698 The War in Darfur slowed slightly early in the year but then revived with a stronger inclination toward fragmentation and insurgent-style fighting over traditional warfare, including rebel groups that launched attacks out of neighboring Chad.Stepanova 2008 58–59 Several conflicts emerged or resumed in 2007 as rebel groups and insurgencies became active. The ADC rebel group started an insurgency in northern Mali, reviving a 1990s insurgency for Tuareg separatism.Harbom Melander Wallensteen 2008 698 Another Tuareg insurgency formed in Niger, the Niger Movement for Justice, but it did not promote the separatist beliefs of the ADC.Harbom Melander Wallensteen 2008 700 Rebellion by Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi resumed in Pakistan, escalating after a siege on a mosque in July.Harbom Melander Wallensteen 2008 699 Other conflicts that resumed in 2007 included the Cabinda War in Angola and the conflict with the Shining Path in Peru.Harbom Melander Wallensteen 2008 699 Bundu dia Kongo, a Kongo separatist movement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, abandoned its mostly-peaceful approach and formally militarized.Harbom Melander Wallensteen 2008 700 Culture 2007 in film 2007 in music 2007 in literature 2007 in video games The highest-grossing film globally in 2007 was Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, followed by Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Spider-Man 3.2007 Worldwide Box Office https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2007/ Box Office Mojo November 11, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20241007110042/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2007/ October 7, 2024 live Western films made a slight resurgence in 2007 with the releases of No Country for Old Men, 3:10 to Yuma, and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.Time 2008 118 The film 300 by then-unknown director Zack Snyder was one of the biggest films of the year.Time 2008 121 The best-selling album globally in 2007 was the High School Musical 2 soundtrack, followed by Back to Black by Amy Winehouse and Noël by Josh Groban.https://www.musicaememoria.com/docs/IFPI-top50-2007.pdf Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2007 2007 IFPI https://web.archive.org/web/20251220050244/https://www.musicaememoria.com/docs/IFPI-top50-2007.pdf December 20, 2025 November 11, 2025 live Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final entry of the Harry Potter series of novels, became the best-selling novel of the year.Time 2008 114 Duncan Sheik premiered a musical adaptation of the 1891 German play Spring Awakening.Time 2008 116 The Wii console, released by Nintendo in 2006, was the predominant video game system in 2007.Time 2008 78 The most popular video games that came out in 2007 include Halo 3, Mass Effect, Bioshock, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Team Fortress 2, and Super Mario Galaxy. Economy 2007 in economic history The gross world product increased by 3.7% in 2007, slowing after the 3.9% growth in 2006. Growth was highest in transition economies at 8.0% and developing countries at 6.9%.UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2008 iii Inflation slowed in developed countries to an increase of only 1.9%, while developing countries saw an inflation rate of 5.6%.UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2008 v Unemployment rates lowered throughout the world, albeit less so in Africa.UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2008 v Negotiations surrounding the Doha Development Round resumed in February, but no progress was made throughout the year.UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2008 xi Oil prices rose as demand from developing countries exceeded the resource slack, and development of biofuel contributing to rising prices for wheat and maize.UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2008 x Rupert Murdoch purchased Dow Jones & Company, which included its publication The Wall Street Journal, for $5 billion.Time 2008 70 The subprime mortgage crisis occurred in the United States in late 2007 as housing prices plummeted, leading to global economic downturn.UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2008 iii Environment and weather 2007 in the environment Weather of 2007 The year 2007 was the fifth hottest year on record. January was warmed by El Niño and the final months of the year were cooled by La Niña. Heat waves occurred in Europe during May through July and in North America during August. A severe cold wave took place in the United States in April. An ongoing drought in Australia grew worse in the Murray–Darling basin. Rains and flooding caused significant displacement or crop damage in places including Bolivia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Uruguay.NOAA 2008 Approximately 500 people were killed by a magnitude 8 earthquake in Peru.Timeline: World's deadliest earthquakes since 2000 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/6/the-worlds-deadliest-earthquakes-since-2000 live https://web.archive.org/web/20231005031552/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/6/the-worlds-deadliest-earthquakes-since-2000 October 5, 2023 Al Jazeera The Arctic ice pack melted at ten times the annual average, and during summer the Northwest Passage was entirely clear of ice for the first time.Time 2008 67 Fifteen tropical storms occurred in the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, including six hurricanes: Hurricane Dean, Hurricane Felix, Hurricane Humberto, Hurricane Karen, and Hurricane Noel.Brennan et al. 2009 4063 Although the number of tropical storms was higher than average, eight of them lasted under two days and the season overall was of average intensity.Brennan et al. 2009 4061 Landfall of Hurricane Dean and Hurricane Felix in Central America marked the first time on record for two category five hurricanes to make landfall in one season.Brennan et al. 2009 4061–4062 Twenty-five tropical storms occurred in the 2007 Pacific typhoon season, including fifteen typhoons.Lea Saunders 2008 1 The most intense typhoons were Typhoon Sepat, Typhoon Man-yi, Typhoon Wipha, and Typhoon Krosa.Lea Saunders 2008 2 Taiwan experienced significant damage from Typhoon Krosa and Typhoon Sepat. Typhoon Wipha caused two million people to be temporarily displaced around Fuding, China, while Tropical Storm Lekima destroyed 100,000 homes in VietnamLea Saunders 2008 1 Health 2007 in health An outbreak of Rift Valley fever continued in eastern Africa after breaking out at the end of 2006.Rift Valley Fever in Kenya, Somalia and the United Republic of Tanzania https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2007_05_09-en https://web.archive.org/web/20240802151859/https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2007_05_09-en August 2, 2024 live World Health Organization Politics and law 2007 in politics The war in Iraq remained central in global politics as American actions were scrutinized, including the use of private military companies and the killing of 17 Iraqi civilians. Palestine split into two governments as Hamas controlled the Gaza Strip while Fatah retained control of the West Bank. Although Iran was understood to have halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003, the United States declared the country a nuclear threat.VOA 2007 Protests broke out in Iran after the government announced it would be rationing fuel.Time 2008 67 Nicolas Sarkozy became president of France and worked toward several reforms, including a push to increase the 35 hour workweek.Time 2008 54 Gordon Brown became prime minister of the United Kingdom with a promise of political continuity.Time 2008 55 Turkey elected Abdullah Gül as president and reelected Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as prime minister.Time 2008 66 Civil unrest in Bangladesh grew worse as the military attacked a Buddhist pro-democracy demonstration. The United Russia party of President Vladimir Putin retained power in the Russian legislative election, and Putin announced his intention to have First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev succeed him the following year. In Venezuela, a constitutional referendum that would have let President Hugo Chávez exceed his term limits was unsuccessful.VOA 2007 President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan gave up his military position to but then brought about a period of emergency rule.VOA 2007 He declared this was to prevent Islamist attacks, but critics alleged he was attempting to maintain power. Time 2008 60–61 Former prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in an attack at the end of the year, in the days leading up to the 2008 election that may have seen her return to the office.Time 2008 53 The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann was a story of international interest after a young girl from the United Kingdom disappeared while on vacation in Portugal.Time 2008 76 Religion 2007 in religion The Anglican Communion remained split over the issue of gay bishops, specifically Gene Robinson of the United States, with Archbishop Peter Akinola of the Church of Nigeria leading the charge to promote conservatism within Anglicanism.Time 2008 72 Fashion designer Aheda Zanetti invented the burqini as swimwear that met Islamic clothing requirements.Time 2008 81 Science 2007 in science The dinosaur Gigantoraptor erlianensis was described, with its size suggesting that dinosaurs did not necessarily get smaller as they evolved into birds.Time 2008 105 The iPhone became a phenomenon when it was announced and lines formed around Apple Stores upon its release.Time 2008 78 Events January thumb|right| Bulgaria and Romania (both in yellow) join the European Union January 1 Bulgaria and Romania join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eurozone.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6220591.stm Romania and Bulgaria join the EU 2007-01-01 BBC News 2017-02-18 2021-05-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20210529145528/https://secure-uk.imrworldwide.com/cgi-bin/m?rnd=1622300127537&ci=bbc&cg=0&sr=1600x1000&ts=v51.js&cd=24&lg=en-US&je=n&ck=y&tz=0&ct=&hp=&tl=BBC%20NEWS%20%7C%20Europe%20%7C%20Romania%20and%20Bulgaria%20join%20the%20EU&si=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F2%2Fhi%2Feurope%2F6220591.stm&rp= live Adam Air Flight 574, en route to Manado, Indonesia, from Surabaya, Indonesia, crashes into the Makassar Strait; killing all 102 on board.January 1, 2007 Indonesia jetliner crashes with 102 aboard https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16427336 live https://web.archive.org/web/20230303002152/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16427336 2023-03-03 2023-03-03 NBC News Associated Press en January 8 – Russian oil supplies to Poland, Germany, and Ukraine are cut as the Russia–Belarus energy dispute escalates;http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6240473.stm Russia oil row hits Europe supply 2007-01-08 BBC News 2017-02-18 2007-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20070110082008/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6240473.stm live they are restored three days later.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/10/AR2007011002094.html Russia-Belarus Standoff Over Oil Ends, Clearing Way for Accord Finn Peter 2007-01-11 The Washington Post 2017-02-18 en-US 0190-8286 2012-10-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20121025070901/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/10/AR2007011002094.html live January 9 – Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduces the original iPhone at a Macworld keynote in San Francisco, California; starting the new era of smartphones with this invention. The phone would be released in June.May 2025 January 10 – Iraq War: The surge of US troops in Iraq is announced.Bush George W. January 10, 2007 President's Address to the Nation https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070110-7.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090604004325/https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070110-7.html June 4, 2009 January 13, 2007 live Office of the Press Secretary January 30 – Windows Vista is released to consumers by Microsoft.https://news.microsoft.com/2007/01/17/microsoft-unveils-new-ways-for-consumers-to-get-windows-vista/ Microsoft Unveils New Ways for Consumers to Get Windows Vista January 17, 2007 Microsoft News Center January 2, 2017 January 3, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170103174146/http://news.microsoft.com/2007/01/17/microsoft-unveils-new-ways-for-consumers-to-get-windows-vista/ live January 31 – Boston, Massachusetts, United States faces a hoax bomb scare, as a result of LED placards of Ignignokt and Err from Aqua Teen Hunger Force being mistaken as an improvised explosive device.Chapin Kinne http://wgbhnews.org/post/mooninite-invasion-boston-6-years-later GBH News 31 January 2013 2022-09-15 2014-07-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20140731012118/http://wgbhnews.org/post/mooninite-invasion-boston-6-years-later live February February 2 – The IPCC publishes its fourth assessment report, having concluded that global climate change is "very likely" to have a predominantly human cause.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6324029.stm At a glance: IPCC report 2007-02-02 BBC News 2017-02-18 2020-11-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20201104181724/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6324029.stm live February 3 – A truck bomb explodes in Baghdad, Iraq, killing at least 135 people and injures 339 others.https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/world/middleeast/04iraq.html At Least 130 Die as Blast Levels Baghdad Market Richard A. Oppel Jr. 2007-02-04 The New York Times 2017-02-18 Mizher Qais 0362-4331 2020-11-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20201122035958/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/world/middleeast/04iraq.html live February 13 – North Korea agrees to shut down its nuclear facilities in Yongbyon by April 14 as a first step towards complete denuclearization, receiving in return energy aid equivalent to 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil.http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=1&key=2007021324 KBS Global English.kbs.co.kr 2011-05-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20070929130921/http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=1&key=2007021324 September 29, 2007 dead February 19 – Microblogging social network Tumblr is launched to the public. Tumblr – something we've always wanted David Karp https://davidville.wordpress.com/2007/02/19/tumblr/ Davidville February 19, 2007 February 24, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130213010619/http://davidville.wordpress.com/2007/02/19/tumblr/ February 13, 2013 live mdy-all February 26 – The International Court of Justice finds Serbia guilty of failing to prevent genocide in the Srebrenica massacre, but clears it of direct responsibility and complicity in the case.http://www.sense-agency.com/en/stream.php?sta=3&pid=9273&kat=3 Sense Tribunal Serbia found guilty of failure to prevent and punish genocide. February 26, 2007 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090730091312/http://www.sense-agency.com/en/stream.php?sta=3&pid=9273&kat=3 2009-07-30 March March 1 – The fourth International Polar Year, a $1.73 billion research program to study both the North Pole and South Pole, is launched in Paris.http://www.polarfoundation.org/news_press/news/paris_international_polar_year_launch_event Paris International Polar Year launch event 2007-03-03 Polar Foundation en 2017-02-18 2017-02-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20170219170025/http://www.polarfoundation.org/news_press/news/paris_international_polar_year_launch_event live March 3 – A total lunar eclipse occurs and is visible in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. It is the 52nd lunar eclipse of Lunar Saros series 123 occurring at the moon's descending node. The moon is just 3.2 days before apogee, making it fairly small. March 4 – The First Ivorian Civil War ends with a peace agreement. March 11 – Georgia accuses three Russian helicopters of firing on the Kodori Gorge, then the only part of the break-away autonomous republic of Abkhazia still under Georgian control.Georgia Says Helicopters From Russia Attacked Gorge https://www.rferl.org/a/1075206.html March 10, 2017 Radio Free Europe October 17, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201017043135/https://www.rferl.org/a/1075206.html live March 13–April 28 – The 2007 Cricket World Cup is held in the West Indies with Australia defeating Sri Lanka in the final.http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8039/scorecard/247507/australia-vs-sri-lanka-final-world-cup-2006-07/ Final, ICC World Cup at Bridgetown, Apr 28 2007 - Match Summary - ESPNCricinfo ESPNcricinfo 2018-07-10 2018-07-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20180707011447/http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8039/scorecard/247507/australia-vs-sri-lanka-final-world-cup-2006-07/ live March 19 – The first solar eclipse of the year 2007 is a partial solar eclipse occurring just 0.7 days before perigee, making it very large. The Moon covers 87.558% of the Sun. In this partial solar eclipse, the best visibility occurs at 61º02'55" N, 55º28'04" E. It is the 20th solar eclipse of Solar Saros series 149, at ascending node. The Sun is its zenith just 83 km south of the Equator, so the Northern Hemisphere was in winter and the Southern Hemisphere was in summer on March 19, 2007. March 23 – Naval forces of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps arrest Royal Navy personnel in disputed Iran-Iraq waters;http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/03/23/iran.uk/index.html Diplomats meet over Iranian seizure of British sailors CNN March 23, 2007 March 23, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070326201108/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/03/23/iran.uk/index.html March 26, 2007 they were released on April 4.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6526359.stm Ahmadinejad's final flourish 2007-04-04 BBC News 2017-02-18 2021-01-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20210111221920/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6526359.stm live March 27 – Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvītis and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov sign a border treaty between Latvia and Russia, officially demarcating the border between the two.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6498049.stm Latvia, Russia sign border deal 2007-03-27 BBC News 2017-02-18 2021-01-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20210125170544/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6498049.stm live April April 16 – Virginia tech massacre: 23-year-old Seung-Hui Cho fatally shoots 32 people and injured 17 others, before committing suicide as police arrive on the scene. April 18 – 18 April 2007 Baghdad bombings: A series of attacks take place across Baghdad, Iraq, killing nearly 200 people.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6567329.stm Up to 200 killed in Baghdad bombs 2007-08-18 BBC News 2017-01-11 2020-11-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035605/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6567329.stm live April 24 – Gliese 581c, a potentially Earth-like extrasolar planet habitable for life, is discovered in the constellation Libra.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6589157.stm New 'super-Earth' found in space 2007-04-24 BBC News 2017-01-11 2012-03-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20120305232748/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6589157.stm live April 26–27 – "Bronze Night": Ethnic Russian riot in Tallinn and other cities in Estonia against the moving of the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn, a Soviet World War II memorial statue.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6598269.stm Estonia removes Soviet memorial 2007-04-27 BBC News 2017-01-11 2009-05-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20090516003602/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6598269.stm live 2007 cyberattacks on Estonia begin. May May 3 – British three-year-old Madeleine McCann disappears in Praia da Luz, Lagos, Portugal, described by The Daily Telegraph as "the most heavily reported missing-person case in modern history"."Master of media circus for Madeleine McCann" https://web.archive.org/web/20190504094425/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1902515/Master-of-media-circus-for-Madeleine-McCann.html 4 May 2019, The Daily Telegraph, 24 April 2008. May 4 – The 2007 Greensburg tornado moves through Kiowa County, Kansas, United States, striking the town of Greensburg and killing eleven residents. 95% of the town was destroyed, and the tornado was the first to be rated EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita scale.Marshall Tim 2007 Damage Survey of the Greensburg, KS tornado https://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/141534.pdf live https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230337/https://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/141534.pdf March 3, 2016 July 9, 2014 ams.confex.com American Meteorological SocietyMay 7, 2007 Governor Blagojevich offers condolences, support to Kansas Governor in response to Greensburg tornado https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.5974.html November 12, 2024 Illinois.gov en https://web.archive.org/web/20250504094240/https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.5974.html May 4, 2025 live May 5 – Kenya Airways Flight 507, on a scheduled passenger flight from Doula, Cameroon, to Nairobi, Kenya, crashes after takeoff, killing all 114 crew and passengers on board.2007-05-15 Kenya pilot took off despite storm warning: Cameroon en Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cameroon-kenya-crash-idUSL1555246020070515 2023-03-20 2023-03-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20230320121803/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cameroon-kenya-crash-idUSL1555246020070515 live Grim recovery of bodies at crash site https://mg.co.za/article/2007-05-08-grim-recovery-of-bodies-at-crash-site/ 2023-03-20 mg.co.za 8 May 2007 en-ZA 2023-03-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20230320121804/https://mg.co.za/article/2007-05-08-grim-recovery-of-bodies-at-crash-site/ live May 6 – 2007 French presidential election: Nicolas Sarkozy is elected President of France in the second round.Sciolino Elaine 2007-05-07 Sarkozy Wins in France and Vows Break With Past https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/07/world/europe/07france.html 2025-02-28 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 May 10 – As a result of factors including the Blair–Brown deal and falling approval ratings as a result of the Iraq War, British Prime Minister Tony Blair announces his intention to resign as Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister, triggering the 2007 Labour Party leadership election, in which Chancellor Gordon Brown ran unopposed. Brown would officially replace Blair as Prime Minister on 27 June.May 10, 2007 Tony Blair's Sedgefield send-off http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6643875.stm live https://web.archive.org/web/20080921051111/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6643875.stm September 21, 2008 October 24, 2022 BBC Newshttp://www.labour.org.uk/leadership/nominations_close_-_1230_thursday_17_may Labour Party Leadership Contest: » Nominations close - 12.30 Thursday 17 May www.labour.org.uk 26 October 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20070921050327/http://www.labour.org.uk/leadership/nominations_close_-_1230_thursday_17_may 21 September 2007 dead May 10–12 – The Eurovision Song Contest 2007 takes place in Helsinki, Finland, and is won by Serbian entrant Marija Šerifović with the song "Molitva". May 11 – Malietoa Tanumafili II, the head of state of Samoa since its independence, dies in office at the age of 94. His death triggers the first election for the office of Samoan head of state.Sagapolutele Fili 12 May 2007 Samoan Head of State Passes Away http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2007/05/12/samoan-head-of-state-passes-away dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070927175435/http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2007/05/12/samoan-head-of-state-passes-away 27 September 2007 12 May 2007 Pacific Magazine May 17 – The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and the Moscow Patriarchate re-unite after 80 years of schism.https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-may-18-fg-orthodox18-story.html Russian Orthodox split is mended Holley David 2007-05-18 Los Angeles Times 2017-02-18 en-US 0458-3035 2016-06-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20160603032502/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/may/18/world/fg-orthodox18 live May 20 – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai makes the largest single charitable donation in modern history, committing €7.41 billion to an educational foundation in the Middle East.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6672923.stm Dubai ruler in vast charity gift 2007-05-20 BBC News 2017-01-11 2007-08-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20070824200451/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6672923.stm live June June 5 – NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft makes its second fly-by of Venus on route to Mercury. June 10–15 – Fatah-Hamas conflict: The Battle of Gaza is fought between Fatah and Hamas, and ends with Hamas gaining control of the Gaza Strip. June 15 – Bob Barker hosts his final episode of The Price Is Right after 35 years of hosting. June 22 – The 2007 Ellie tornado becomes the only F5 tornado recorded under the use of the Fujita scale in Canada, reaching windspeeds up to 320 mph (510 km/h). June 22–June 24 – Canadian professional wrestler Chris Benoit commits a double-murder suicide on his wife and youngest son at their home in Fayetteville, Georgia, United States.https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/world-news/chris-benoits-severe-brain-damage-36526266.amp Irish Mirror Chris Benoit severe brain damage that led to family tragedy January 27, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260112130453/https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/world-news/chris-benoits-severe-brain-damage-36526266.amp January 12, 2026 live June 24 – American rapper T.I was involved in a physical altercation with Chaka Zulu, the manager of Ludacris, at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, California.https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/chaka-zulu-speaks-out-after-ti-scuffle-1051324/ Chaka Zulu Speaks Out After T.I. Scuffle Billboard June 25, 2007 November 4, 2023 November 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231104000428/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/chaka-zulu-speaks-out-after-ti-scuffle-1051324/ live June 27 – Gordon Brown succeeds Tony Blair and becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after a leadership election. June 28 – 2007 European heat wave: in the aftermath of Greece's worst heat wave in a century, at least 11 people are reported dead from heatstroke, approximately 200 wildfires break out nationwide, and the country's electricity grid nearly collapses due to record breaking demand. June 29 – The iPhone, the first modern smartphone, is released in the United States. It is later released in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, and Austria, in November 2007. July July 4 – The International Olympic Committee awards Sochi the right to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. July 7 – Live Earth Concerts are held in nine major cities around the world to raise environmental awareness.http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-35574720080920?sp=true Live Earth show to help light homes with solar energy Jamkhandikar Shilpa 2008-09-20 Reuters 2017-01-11 en-IN 2017-01-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20170113105624/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-35574720080920?sp=true dead July 17 TAM Airlines Flight 3054 an Airbus A320-233 overruns the runway of São Paulo–Congonhas Airport runway 35L, flies over Avenida Washington Luís and crashes into TAM Express building and a Shell filling station adjacent to the TAM Express building. All 187 passengers and crew are killed instantly. 12 people inside the TAM Express and the Shell filling station are also killed.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-23609524 Brazil trial over plane crash that killed 199 2013-08-08 BBC News 2017-02-18 en-GB 2020-11-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20201128163634/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-23609524 live The dwarf planet Gonggong is discovered by astronomers Megan Schwamb, Michael Brown, and David Rabinowitz from the Palomar Observatory. (225088) Gonggong = 2007 OR10 Minor Planet Center International Astronomical Union https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=225088 14 March 2021 26 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170826074550/http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=225088 live July 24 – Five Bulgarian nurses are released from Libyan prison after eight and a half years spent behind bars in Benghazi and Tripoli, marking the end of the so-called "HIV trial in Libya".http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6912965.stm HIV medics released to Bulgaria 2007-07-24 BBC News 2015-11-25 2007-08-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20070808075931/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6912965.stm live July 31 – Operation Banner comes to an end, thus ending the longest continuous deployment in British military history. August August 4 – The Phoenix spacecraft is launched toward Mars to study its north pole.http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2007/aug/06/phoenix-blasts-off-to-mars Phoenix blasts off to Mars Cartwright John 2007-08-06 Physics World en-GB 2017-02-18 2017-02-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20170219120216/http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2007/aug/06/phoenix-blasts-off-to-mars live August 9 – Subprime mortgage crisis: The French global bank BNP Paribas in the United Kingdom blocks withdrawals from three hedge funds heavily committed in subprime lendings, signaling the 2008 financial crisis.Three myths that sustain the economic crisis https://www.theguardian.com/business/economics-blog/2012/aug/05/economic-crisis-myths-sustain 2012-08-06 The Guardian London 2012-08-05 Larry Elliott 2020-11-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20201120221533/https://www.theguardian.com/business/economics-blog/2012/aug/05/economic-crisis-myths-sustain live August 10 – The UEFA Executive Committee decided to cancel the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying matches between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Group A, after the proposal to play them on neutral ground was rejected by the federations of the two countries. https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/uefa-cancel-armenia-v-azerbaijan-euro-qualifiers-idUSL23218727/ UEFA cancel Armenia v Azerbaijan Euro qualifiers Reuters August 10, 2007 August 14 – Multiple suicide bombings kill 572 people in Qahtaniya, northern Iraq.https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/world/middleeast/22iraq-top.html Toll in Iraq Bombings Is Raised to More Than 500 Cave Damien 2007-08-22 Glanz James The New York Times 0362-4331 2017-01-11 2017-09-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20170919215854/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/22/world/middleeast/22iraq-top.html live August 15 – An 8.0 earthquake strikes Peru, killing at least 519 people, injuring more than 1,300, and causing tsunami warnings in the Pacific Ocean.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-peru-earthquake-idUSN1629631020070816 Peru earthquake kills 450, bodies in streets Arce Jean Luis 2016-08-16 Reuters 2017-01-11 2020-12-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20201203211157/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-peru-earthquake-idUSN1629631020070816 live August 15 – Anti-government protests in Myanmar suppressed by ruling junta. September thumb|The opening ceremony of the 2007 Rugby World Cup September 6 – Israeli Air Force airplanes attack a suspected nuclear reactor in Syria in an airstrike.http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-04-23-554340650_x.htm White House says Syria 'must come clean' about nuclear work Hess Pamela Riechmann Deb 2008-04-24 USA Today 2017-01-11 2014-02-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20140207051918/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-04-23-554340650_x.htm live September 7 – October 20 – The 2007 Rugby World Cup takes place in France. South Africa beat defending champions England in the final. September 11 – Ethiopia celebrates the third millennium in Ethiopian calendar.Ethiopia to celebrate millennium https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2007/9/11/ethiopia-to-celebrate-millennium 2025-07-05 Al Jazeera en September 12 - Daniel Ciobotea is elected as the 6th Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church since the Church was elevated to this status in 1925. September 13 – The United Nations General Assembly adopts the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. September 14 – The SELENE spacecraft launches, with its objective being to study the Moon.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6994272.stm Japan launches first lunar probe 2007-09-14 BBC News 2017-01-11 2011-05-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20110511101523/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6994272.stm live September 20 – The Universal Forum of Cultures opens in Monterrey, Mexico. September 25 – Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park in New Zealand, erupts. October October 10 – Valve Software releases The Orange Box on Windows and Xbox 360.Kain Eric 2017-10-11 10 Years Ago Valve Released The Orange Box, A High-Point For The Company https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2017/10/11/ten-years-ago-valve-launched-3-brand-new-games-all-at-once-in-the-orange-box/?sh=29a5beb43dcb 2024-11-11 Forbes https://web.archive.org/web/20240131005304/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2017/10/11/ten-years-ago-valve-launched-3-brand-new-games-all-at-once-in-the-orange-box/?sh=29a5beb43dcb January 31, 2024 liveKing Jade Valve's Orange Box Is Still The Greatest Deal In Gaming History TheGamer 2023-12-23 https://www.thegamer.com/the-orange-box-valve-half-life-portal-team-fortress-2/ 2024-09-16 October 15 – October 21 – The 17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party is held in Beijing, China. October 21 – Finnish racing driver Kimi Räikkönen won his first Formula One World Championship, driving for Scuderia Ferrari at the Brazilian Grand Prix.https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/raikkonen-takes-f1-title-after-brazil-gp-win-idUSL21623272/ Reuters Raikkonen takes F1 title after Brazil GP win October 21, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20250526091121/https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/raikkonen-takes-f1-title-after-brazil-gp-win-idUSL21623272/ May 26, 2025 April 12, 2025 live October 22 – Montenegro adopts a new constitution, which among other things changes the country's official name from "Republic of Montenegro" to "Montenegro".https://portal.cor.europa.eu/divisionpowers/Pages/Montenegro.aspx CoR - Montenegro portal.cor.europa.eu 2019-12-23 2019-12-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20191205205604/https://portal.cor.europa.eu/divisionpowers/Pages/Montenegro.aspx live October 28 – 2007 Argentine general election: Cristina Fernández de Kirchner becomes the first directly elected female President of Argentina.https://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/elpais/1-93719-2007-10-29.html Kirchner, presidenta con "A" final October 29, 2007 Pagina12 en October 8, 2021 October 8, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211008074654/https://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/elpais/1-93719-2007-10-29.html live Sports TV Uganda Limited is incorporated in Uganda.Uganda Broadcasting Council, Workers' House, Kampala November November 7 Whistleblower website WikiLeaks leaks the standard US army protocol at Guantanamo Bay.2014-02-10 Sensitive Guantanamo Bay Manual Leaked Through Wiki Site Wired http://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/news/2007/11/gitmo 2021-03-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20140210123003/http://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/news/2007/11/gitmo February 10, 2014 Singel Ryan The Jokela school shooting happened in Finland. November 16 – Up to 15,000 people are believed to have been killed after Cyclone Sidr hits Bangladesh.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1569832/Bangladesh-cyclone-death-toll-hits-15000.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1569832/Bangladesh-cyclone-death-toll-hits-15000.html January 11, 2022 subscription live Bangladesh cyclone death toll hits 15,000 Foster Peter 2007-11-18 The Telegraph 2017-01-11 November 24 – 2007 Australian federal election: The Labor Party led by Kevin Rudd defeats the Liberal/National Coalition government led by Prime Minister John Howard. Rudd would be sworn in on December 3.https://australianpolitics.com/elections/federal-2007 2007 Federal Election - AustralianPolitics.com June 9, 2012 November 8, 2022 November 8, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221108113420/https://australianpolitics.com/elections/federal-2007 live November 29 – The Armed Forces of the Philippines lay siege to the Peninsula Manila after soldiers led by Senator Antonio Trillanes stage a mutiny.Sturcke James MacKinnon Ian Troops storm Manila hotel to recapture Philippines dissidents https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/nov/29/philippines 15 March 2022 The Guardian 29 November 2007 15 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220315073057/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/nov/29/philippines live December December 1 – At the age of 1926 4 21 2007 12 21, Queen Elizabeth II becomes the oldest ever reigning British monarch, surpassing Queen Victoria who was aged 1819 5 24 1901 1 22 upon her death on January 22, 1901. December 13 – The Treaty of Lisbon is signed by members states of European Union. December 20 – The Pablo Picasso painting Portrait of Suzanne Bloch, together with Candido Portinari's O Lavrador de Café, is stolen from the São Paulo Museum of Art.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7154101.stm Picasso stolen from Brazil museum 2007-12-20 BBC News 2017-01-11 2021-01-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20210126021546/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7154101.stm live December 21 – The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia join the Schengen border-free zone.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7153490.stm Europe's border-free zone expands 2007-12-21 BBC News 2017-02-18 2007-12-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20071221044652/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7153490.stm live December 27 Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto is assassinated, along with 20 other people, at an election rally in Rawalpindi.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7161590.stm Benazir Bhutto killed in attack 2007-12-27 BBC News 2017-01-11 2007-12-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20071228135135/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7161590.stm live Riots erupt in Mombasa, Kenya, after Mwai Kibaki is declared the winner of the general election, triggering a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis that killed over 1,000 people.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7344816.stm Deal to end Kenyan crisis agreed 2008-04-12 BBC News 2017-01-11 2008-04-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20080415174110/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7344816.stm live Unknown date Mauritania is the last country to criminalise slavery (officially abolished in 1981), making the practice illegal everywhere in the world.Sutter John D. 2012-03-17 UN: There is hope for Mauritania's slaves http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/17/un-there-is-hope-for-mauritanias-slaves/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20220323013339/https://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/17/un-there-is-hope-for-mauritanias-slaves/ 2022-03-23 2017-08-29 CNN Births and deaths Category:2007 births Deaths in 2007 Nobel Prizes right|120px Chemistry – Gerhard Ertl Economics – Leonid Hurwicz, Eric Maskin, and Roger Myerson Literature – Doris Lessing Peace – Al Gore and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Physics – Albert Fert, Peter Grünberg Physiology or Medicine – Mario Capecchi, Oliver Smithies, and Sir Martin Evans References Bibliography Brennan Michael J. Knabb Richard D. Mainelli Michelle Kimberlain Todd B. 2009-12-01 Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2007 http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/10.1175/2009MWR2995.1 Monthly Weather Review en 137 12 4061–4088 10.1175/2009MWR2995.1 2009MWRv..137.4061B 1520-0493 Brennan et al. 2009 subscription Harbom Lotta Melander Erik Wallensteen Peter 2008 Dyadic Dimensions of Armed Conflict, 1946-2007 https://www.jstor.org/stable/27640741 Journal of Peace Research 45 5 697–710 10.1177/0022343308094331 27640741 0022-3433 Lea Adam Saunders Mark https://www.tropicalstormrisk.com/docs/TSRNWP2007Verification.pdf Summary of 2007 NW Pacific Typhoon Season and Verification of Authors' Seasonal Forecasts January 9, 2008 University College London https://web.archive.org/web/20250615002208/http://tropicalstormrisk.com/docs/TSRNWP2007Verification.pdf June 15, 2025 live Tropical Storm Risk https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/200713 Annual 2007 Global Climate Report 2008 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 1, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250201021422/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/200713 live NOAA 2008 Stepanova Ekaterina SIPRI Yearbook 2008: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security Stockholm International Peace Research Institute 2008 978-0-19-954895-8 43–71 Major armed conflicts https://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2008/02 Time Annual 2008 2008 Time 978-1-933821-22-1 Time 2008 https://population.un.org/wpp/downloads?folder=Standard%20Projections&group=Most%20used World Population Prospects 2024 2024 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2024 October 27, 2025 August 27, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251027180324/https://population.un.org/wpp/downloads?folder=Standard%20Projections&group=Most%20used dead https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/policy/wesp/wesp_archive/2008wesp.pdf World Economic Situation and Prospects 2008 2008 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs 9789211560480 UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2008 https://www.unhcr.org/us/media/2007-global-trends-refugees-asylum-seekers-returnees-internally-displaced-and-stateless 2007 Global Trends 2008 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UN High Commissioner for Refugees 2007 December 14, 2007 Global Conflicts, Economy, Environmental Issues Top News of 2007 https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2007-12-14-voa30/404046.html https://web.archive.org/web/20250202022734/https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2007-12-14-voa30/404046.html February 2, 2025 live Voice of America VOA 2007 External links 2007 Calendar at Internet Accuracy Project.