1. On December 7, 1835, a group of prominent Kentuckians gathered in Frankfort to discuss the possibility of gradually abolishing slavery in the state. This meeting, known as the "Frankfort Convention," was a significant moment in the state's history and helped lay the groundwork for the eventual end of slavery in Kentucky.

2. On this day in 1854, the Whig Party held its final national convention in Louisville. The party was in decline at the time, and its failure to field a presidential candidate in the ensuing election helped lead to the rise of the Republican Party.

3. In 1941, December 7 became a significant date in world history when Japan attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Kentucky played a significant role in the war effort, with more than 280,000 Kentuckians serving in the armed forces – the highest per capita rate of any state.

4. On December 7, 1955, the University of Kentucky men's basketball team played its first game in Rupp Arena. The Wildcats defeated Georgia 85-68 in front of more than 11,000 fans, launching a new era of basketball excellence in the bluegrass state.

5. In 2009, December 7 became a historic day for the Kentucky bourbon industry when Maker's Mark announced plans to open a new distillery in Marion County. The $35 million facility, which currently produces more than 1 million cases of bourbon each year, has helped fuel the industry's recent boom and cemented Kentucky's status as the "Bourbon Capital of the World."