Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Today is Sept. 7. It was on this date in 1940 that Nazi Germany launched the London blitz -- a bombing that Adolf Hitler believed would soften Britain for invasion. The plan failed and the invasion of England never materialized. Advertisement President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian dictator Omar Torrijos signed a treaty on this date in 1977 agreeing to transfer control of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama at the end of the 20th century. Desmond Tutu was installed as the Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, on this date in 1986. He was the first black ever to head South Africa's fourth-largest Christian church. It was on this date in 1822 that Brazil declared independence from Portugal. These days, the South American nation marks the occasion with a weeklong celebration that begins Sept. 1. Venus and Serena Williams advanced to the final of the 2001 U.S. Open women's singles tennis tournament on this date, setting up the first meeting of sisters in a Grand Slam finale since 1884. Advertisement And the first major boxing match under the Marquess of Queensberry Rules took place on this date in 1892 in New Orleans. James Corbett knocked out John L. Sullivan in the 21st round. We now return you to the present, already in progress.
