December 5 marks a day of remarkable events that shaped history across various spheres. From the birth of cultural icons to pivotal societal changes and tragic environmental crises, this date holds a unique tapestry of stories. Significant milestones in entertainment, law, and science also emerged on this day. What specific moments defined December 5, and how did they influence the world? Uncover the layers of this historic date.
History
Major Historical Events
1901 – Walt Disney’s Birth: On this day, Walt Disney, the visionary animator and entrepreneur who created Mickey Mouse and founded The Walt Disney Company, was born in Chicago, Illinois.
His groundbreaking work in animation and theme park design transformed entertainment, leaving a lasting cultural impact worldwide.
1933 – Prohibition Ends in the United States: The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on December 5, officially repealing Prohibition, which had banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol since 1920.
This marked the end of a 13-year experiment, allowing legal alcohol sales to resume and reshaping American social policies.
1952 – Great Smog of London Begins: A deadly combination of cold weather, windless conditions, and industrial pollution descended on London, creating a thick, toxic fog that lasted for five days.
Known as the Great Smog, it caused thousands of deaths, primarily from respiratory issues, and led to significant environmental reforms in the UK.
2004 – Civil Partnership Act Passed in the UK: The UK Parliament passed the Civil Partnership Act on this date, granting same-sex couples legal recognition and rights similar to those of married heterosexual couples.
This landmark legislation paved the way for marriage equality, which was later enacted in 2014.
Famous Birthdays
1901 – Walt Disney: Born in Chicago, Illinois, Walt Disney became a pioneer of animation and entertainment, creating iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and founding Disneyland, the first modern theme park.
His legacy continues to influence global pop culture.
1932 – Little Richard: Richard Wayne Penniman, known as Little Richard, was born in Macon, Georgia.
A rock and roll pioneer, his energetic performances and hits like “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally” shaped the genre and inspired countless musicians.
1963 – Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards: Born in Cheltenham, England, Eddie Edwards became a household name as the first British ski jumper to compete in the Winter Olympics in 1988.
Despite finishing last, his underdog story and determination won hearts worldwide.
1973 – Patricia Kaas: French singer and actress Patricia Kaas was born in Forbach, France.
Known for her powerful voice and melancholic chansons, she gained international fame with albums like “Mademoiselle chante…” and represented France in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest.
1985 – Frankie Muniz: Born in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, Frankie Muniz rose to fame as a child actor starring in the hit TV series “Malcolm in the Middle.”
He later pursued a career in professional racing before returning to acting and producing.
Notable Deaths
1791 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The legendary Austrian composer passed away in Vienna at the age of 35.
Known for masterpieces like “The Magic Flute” and “Requiem,” his sudden death, possibly from illness, remains a subject of speculation, but his music endures as a cornerstone of classical repertoire.
1870 – Alexandre Dumas: The French author of iconic novels such as “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo” died in Puys, France.
His adventurous storytelling and vivid characters continue to captivate readers worldwide.
1926 – Claude Monet: The French Impressionist painter, renowned for works like “Water Lilies” and “Impression, Sunrise,” passed away in Giverny, France, at 86.
His innovative use of light and color revolutionized modern art.
Today in Music History
1968 – Rolling Stones Release “Beggars Banquet”: The Rolling Stones dropped their seventh studio album, “Beggars Banquet,” marking a return to their blues and rock roots with tracks like “Sympathy for the Devil.”
The album became a critical and commercial success, cementing their rebellious image.
1976 – Bob Marley Survives Assassination Attempt Aftermath: Just days after surviving an assassination attempt on December 3, Bob Marley performed at the “Smile Jamaica” concert in Kingston on December 5, despite his injuries.
His courage and message of unity resonated deeply with fans worldwide.
1993 – Gin Blossoms Release Debut Album: The American rock band Gin Blossoms released their debut album, “New Miserable Experience,” on this day, though it had been recorded earlier.
With hits like “Hey Jealousy,” it later became a multi-platinum success.
Today in Sports History
1936 – First Heisman Trophy Awarded: The inaugural Heisman Trophy, recognizing the most outstanding college football player in the United States, was awarded to Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago.
This prestigious award remains a pinnacle of achievement in college sports.
2017 – Russia Banned from 2018 Winter Olympics: The International Olympic Committee announced a ban on Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang due to a state-sponsored doping scandal.
Russian athletes were allowed to compete under a neutral flag as “Olympic Athletes from Russia.”
Today in Military and Naval History
1941 – Britain Declares War on Finland, Hungary, and Romania: During World War II, the United Kingdom officially declared war on Finland, Hungary, and Romania on this date, as these nations were aligned with Nazi Germany.
This expanded the scope of conflict in Europe.
1945 – Flight 19 Disappears Over Bermuda Triangle: A squadron of five U.S. Navy bombers, known as Flight 19, vanished during a training mission off the coast of Florida.
This mysterious event fueled speculation about the Bermuda Triangle and remains unsolved to this day.
1950 – Battle of Chosin Reservoir Continues: During the Korean War, U.S. and UN forces faced brutal combat and freezing conditions against Chinese troops at the Chosin Reservoir.
On December 5, the intense fighting persisted, marking one of the war’s most harrowing campaigns.
Today in Tech and Science History
1958 – First Transatlantic Telephone Cable Completed: The first successful transatlantic telephone cable, known as TAT-1, saw a milestone in its operation on this day as it facilitated clearer communication between North America and Europe.
This revolutionized global connectivity.
2014 – Orion Spacecraft Test Flight Launched: NASA launched the first test flight of the Orion spacecraft, designed for deep-space exploration, including future missions to Mars.
This uncrewed mission marked a significant step in modern space travel.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1927 – First Performance of “Show Boat”: The groundbreaking musical “Show Boat,” with music by Jerome Kern and book by Oscar Hammerstein II, premiered on Broadway at the Ziegfeld Theatre.
Its integration of music and plot, along with themes of racial inequality, set a new standard for musical theater.
1932 – Albert Einstein Granted U.S. Visa: Fleeing Nazi persecution, physicist Albert Einstein was granted a visa to enter the United States on this day while visiting California.
He would later settle permanently in the U.S., contributing to science and warning against nuclear dangers.
2007 – “Juno” Film Released: The indie film “Juno,” directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody, premiered on this day.
Starring Elliot Page, the movie about a teenage girl facing an unplanned pregnancy won critical acclaim and an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1945 – Bermuda Triangle Mystery Begins with Flight 19: As mentioned earlier, the disappearance of Flight 19 on this day sparked wild theories about the Bermuda Triangle, including alien abductions and time warps.
While science points to human error or weather, the mystery still fuels imaginative speculation.
1952 – Great Smog Turns London Into a Sci-Fi Scene: The Great Smog of London was so thick that people couldn’t see their own feet, buses needed guides to walk in front of them, and some claimed it felt like living in a dystopian novel.
It was deadly, but the surreal imagery remains oddly fascinating.
Today in History for Kids
1901 – Walt Disney is Born: Imagine a world without Mickey Mouse or Disneyland!
On this day, Walt Disney was born, and he grew up to create some of the most beloved cartoons and theme parks that kids everywhere still enjoy today.
1933 – Alcohol Ban Ends in America: A long time ago, grown-ups in the United States weren’t allowed to buy or sell drinks like beer or wine because of a rule called Prohibition.
On December 5, that rule finally ended, and people could celebrate legally again.
1952 – London’s Dangerous Fog: A super thick fog covered London, England, on this day, making it hard to see or even breathe.
It was so bad that it made many people sick, and afterward, leaders made new rules to keep the air cleaner.
2014 – A Spaceship for Mars Takes Off: NASA sent a special spaceship called Orion into the sky for the first time on December 5.
It didn’t have people on board yet, but one day, it might help astronauts travel all the way to Mars!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? – Mozart’s Mysterious Death: When Mozart died on this day in 1791, no one was quite sure why.
Some thought he was poisoned, others believed it was a fever.
Even today, experts still debate the cause, making his passing one of history’s great mysteries.
Did You Know? – Flight 19’s Strange Signals: After Flight 19 disappeared in 1945, some claim radio operators picked up odd messages from the lost pilots, hinting they were confused about their location.
These eerie transmissions add to the Bermuda Triangle’s spooky reputation.
Did You Know? – Great Smog’s Hidden Impact: During the 1952 Great Smog in London, crime reportedly spiked because thieves took advantage of the blinding fog to rob homes and stores.
It’s a bizarre side effect of a tragic environmental disaster.
Did You Know? – Little Richard’s Wild Persona: Born on this day in 1932, Little Richard didn’t just sing—he shouted, pounded the piano, and wore flashy outfits that shocked audiences.
His over-the-top style helped define rock and roll as a rebellious art form.