October 7
1765
The Stamp Act Congress convened in New York
to draw up colonial grievances against England.
1849
Poet-writer Edgar Allan Poe died at age 40.
1949
The Republic of East Germany was formed.
1968
The Motion Picture Association of America
adopted its film-rating system, ranging from "G"
for general audiences to "X" for adults only.
1985
The Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked
by Palestinian gunmen in the Mediterranean.
1998
Matthew Shepard , a gay student at the University
of Wyoming, was beaten, robbed, and left tied to
a fence. He died five days later.
2001
U.S. and British forces launched bombing
campaign against Taliban government and al-
Qaeda terrorist camps in Afghanistan .
2003
California governor Gray Davis was recalled and
former bodybuilder and actor Arnold
Schwarzenegger was elected in his place.
http://www.infoplease.com/dayinhistory/October-7