Today in History: Hamas attacks Israel killing 1,200 people

The following are some of the major events that occurred on October 7:

1571 – Battle of Lepanto: The Holy League, a coalition of Catholic states, defeated the Ottoman Empire’s navy in a major naval battle, halting Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean.

1763 – Proclamation of 1763: King George III of Great Britain issued this proclamation to organize and stabilize colonial expansion in North America after the French and Indian War, restricting settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.

1826 – The Granite Railway opens: Often considered the first commercial railway in the United States, it opened in Massachusetts to transport granite from Quincy to a dock on the Neponset River.

1919 – KLM is founded: The Dutch airline KLM (Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij) was established, becoming the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name.

1949 – East Germany is established: The German Democratic Republic (GDR), or East Germany, was officially formed, marking the division of Germany during the Cold War.

1959 – Luna 3 photographs the far side of the Moon: The Soviet spacecraft Luna 3 transmitted the first-ever photographs of the far side of the Moon, revealing previously unseen terrain.

1985 – Achille Lauro hijacking: Palestinian terrorists hijacked the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in the Mediterranean, taking hostages and eventually killing an American passenger.

1993 – Flooding devastates southern China: Heavy rains caused widespread flooding across Hunan Province, affecting millions of people and causing significant damage.

2001 – U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan begins: The United States, supported by coalition forces, launched Operation Enduring Freedom, marking the start of the war in Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks.

2016 – Hurricane Matthew makes landfall in the U.S.: After causing widespread devastation in the Caribbean, Hurricane Matthew struck the southeastern United States, causing severe flooding and damage, particularly in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

2023 –  Hamas attacks Israel: Hamas and several other Palestinian militant groups launched an attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200, mostly civilians, and took more than 240 hostages, including civilians and soldiers. The attack initiated the Israel–Hamas war.