On This Day, Aug. 7: U.S. Embassy bombings kill 224 people

UPI Staff
·3 min read
Fire and rescue workers are on the scene moments after a blast at the U.S. Embassy in the Kenyan capital early August 7, 1998, killed more than 40 people. Moments later, a second bomb exploded outside the U.S. Embassy in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania. UPI File Photo
Fire and rescue workers are on the scene moments after a blast at the U.S. Embassy in the Kenyan capital early August 7, 1998, killed more than 40 people. Moments later, a second bomb exploded outside the U.S. Embassy in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania. UPI File Photo
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Aug. 7 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1782, the Order of the Purple Heart was established by Gen. George Washington to honor Americans who fought in the Revolutionary War.

In 1942, U.S. Marines launched America's first offensive in World War II, landing on the Pacific island of Guadalcanal.

In 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy becomes first sitting U.S. first lady to give birth since Frances Folsom Cleveland in 1897. President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy's premature son, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, died two days later.

UPI File Photo
UPI File Photo
San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds is mobbed by teammates after hitting his 756th career home run, passing Hank Aaron for the all-time home run record against the Washington Nationals at AT&T Park in San Francisco on August 7, 2007. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds is mobbed by teammates after hitting his 756th career home run, passing Hank Aaron for the all-time home run record against the Washington Nationals at AT&T Park in San Francisco on August 7, 2007. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI

In 1998, terrorists' bombs detonated within minutes of each other outside of U.S. embassy buildings in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, killing 224 people. Authorities estimated another 4,000 were wounded.

In 2001, Uribe Velez was sworn in as president of Colombia in ceremonies interrupted by rebel shelling that killed 15 people and injured 60.

On August 7, 2012, Jared Lee Loughner pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder in Tucson shootings that killed six people and wounded 13, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Under his plea agreement, Loughner is imprisoned for life without parole and no opportunity to appeal. File Photo courtesy U.S. Marshals Service
On August 7, 2012, Jared Lee Loughner pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder in Tucson shootings that killed six people and wounded 13, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Under his plea agreement, Loughner is imprisoned for life without parole and no opportunity to appeal. File Photo courtesy U.S. Marshals Service
File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI

In 2005, Peter Jennings, anchor and senior editor of ABC News World News Tonight, who said in April he had lung cancer, died at his New York home at age 67.

On August 7, 1782, the Order of the Purple Heart was established by Gen. George Washington to honor Americans who fought in the Revolutionary War. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
On August 7, 1782, the Order of the Purple Heart was established by Gen. George Washington to honor Americans who fought in the Revolutionary War. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

In 2007, Barry Bonds hit his 756th major league home run, breaking the record set by Hank Aaron. Bonds ended his career just under seven weeks later with a total of 762 homers.

In 2008, Georgian troops laid siege to the capital of the breakaway region of South Ossetia, sparking the five-day Russo-Georgian War, which left more than 300 dead.

On August 7, 2005, Peter Jennings, anchor and senior editor of ABC News World News Tonight, who said in April he had lung cancer, died at his New York home at age 67. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
On August 7, 2005, Peter Jennings, anchor and senior editor of ABC News World News Tonight, who said in April he had lung cancer, died at his New York home at age 67. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

In 2012, Jared Lee Loughner pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder in Tucson shootings that killed six people and wounded 13, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Under his plea agreement, Loughner is imprisoned for life without parole and no opportunity to appeal.

In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which tackled healthcare and taxes and provided the largest-ever investments into green energy in U.S. history.