On December 7, 1983, the first US execution by lethal injection was carried out at the state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas. Learn more about the history, technology and worldwide use of lethal injection.

On December 7, 1941, Imperial Japan attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Canada responded later that day by declaring war on Japan. The following day, on December 8, the United States and the United Kingdom also declared war on Japan. In response on December 11, Japan's ally, Germany, declared war on the United States.