1. On August 7, 1918, the State of Oregon passed a law making it mandatory for all children between the ages of 8 and 16 to attend school for at least 16 weeks each year. This was the first compulsory education law in Oregon, and reflected a growing national trend towards universal education.

2. On August 7, 1942, Japanese-American residents of Hood River, Oregon were forcibly removed from their homes and placed in detainment camps as part of the United States' internment program during World War II. The removal of these citizens, who were often American-born and had never been to Japan, remains a dark chapter in Oregon's history.

3. August 7, 1987 saw the opening of the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. The center, which cost $84 million to build, has hosted numerous events and conferences over the years, and has played a significant role in the city's economy.

4. In 2013, on August 7, the City of Portland became the first city in the United States to divest from corporations that profit from the private prison industry. The decision followed a nationwide movement to draw attention to the injustices and human rights abuses of the for-profit prison system.

5. August 7, 2015 marked the 75th anniversary of the completion of the historic Bonneville Dam, located on the Columbia River in northern Oregon. The massive hydroelectric power plant still generates a significant amount of electricity for the Pacific Northwest, and is also an important site for recreation and tourism.