September 5 holds a significant place in the annals of history, marked by events that shaped nations and cultures. From pivotal battles in medieval Europe to critical moments in the American Revolution, this date has witnessed transformative occurrences. Additionally, notable births and cultural milestones add layers to its legacy. What specific events define this day? Uncover the stories that have left an indelible mark on time.
History
Major Historical Events
1346 – Battle of Neville’s Cross: During the Hundred Years’ War, English forces under King Edward III achieved a significant victory over the Scots in this battle near Durham, England.
The conflict arose as part of the ongoing struggle between England and Scotland, with King David II of Scotland being captured during the fight, marking a major setback for Scottish independence efforts at the time.
1777 – Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga: In a pivotal moment of the American Revolutionary War, British General John Burgoyne surrendered his army to American forces under General Horatio Gates in Saratoga, New York.
This event, often considered a turning point in the war, boosted American morale and convinced France to openly ally with the American colonies against Britain.
1931 – Al Capone Convicted of Tax Evasion: Notorious American gangster Al Capone was convicted of income tax evasion on this day in Chicago.
Although he was infamous for his involvement in organized crime during the Prohibition era, it was this financial crime that led to his 11-year prison sentence, effectively ending his reign as a crime boss.
1979 – Mother Teresa Awarded Nobel Peace Prize: Mother Teresa, the Catholic nun known for her humanitarian work with the poor in Kolkata, India, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on this day.
Her tireless dedication to helping the destitute through the Missionaries of Charity earned her global recognition as a symbol of compassion and selflessness.
1989 – Loma Prieta Earthquake Strikes San Francisco: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale hit the San Francisco Bay Area, causing widespread destruction.
The disaster resulted in 63 deaths, thousands of injuries, and significant damage, including the collapse of a section of the Bay Bridge, marking it as one of the deadliest earthquakes in U.S. history.
Famous Birthdays
1720 – Jonathan Trumbull: American politician and governor of Connecticut during the Revolutionary War, Jonathan Trumbull was born on this day.
He was a staunch supporter of the American cause and the only colonial governor to remain in office throughout the war, earning the trust of George Washington.
1916 – Shirley Walker: An American composer and conductor, Shirley Walker was born on this day in Napa, California.
She made history as one of the few female composers in Hollywood, contributing to iconic works like the soundtracks for “Batman: The Animated Series” and several major films.
1966 – Mike Dimkich: American guitarist Mike Dimkich, known for his work with punk rock band Bad Religion, was born on this day.
His contributions to the punk music scene have made him a respected figure in the genre.
1972 – Eminem: Marshall Bruce Mathers III, better known as Eminem, was born on this day in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Rising to fame as a rapper, songwriter, and record producer, he became one of the best-selling music artists of all time, known for his provocative lyrics and storytelling.
1983 – Felicity Jones: British actress Felicity Jones was born on this day in Birmingham, England.
She gained international acclaim for roles in films like “The Theory of Everything” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” showcasing her versatility and talent on screen.
Notable Deaths
1849 – Frédéric Chopin: The renowned Polish composer and pianist Frédéric Chopin passed away on this day in Paris, France, at the age of 39.
A leading figure of the Romantic era, his compositions for piano remain some of the most celebrated in classical music history.
1934 – Santiago Ramón y Cajal: Spanish neuroscientist and pathologist Santiago Ramón y Cajal, often called the father of modern neuroscience, died on this day.
His groundbreaking work on the structure of the nervous system earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1906.
1962 – Natalia Goncharova: Russian avant-garde artist Natalia Goncharova died on this day in Paris.
Known for her contributions to the Cubo-Futurist movement, her bold paintings and designs influenced modern art in the early 20th century.
Today in Music History
1970 – Janis Joplin’s Album “Pearl” Recording Completed: Although Janis Joplin had tragically passed away just days earlier, recording for her iconic album “Pearl” was finalized around this time, with its release following in early 1971.
The album, featuring hits like “Me and Bobby McGee,” became a posthumous tribute to her incredible talent.
1995 – Mariah Carey’s “Daydream” Hits Number One: Mariah Carey’s album “Daydream” reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart on this day.
With chart-topping singles like “Fantasy” and “One Sweet Day,” the album solidified her status as a pop and R&B superstar.
2008 – Madonna’s Sticky & Sweet Tour Breaks Records: On this day, Madonna performed in Izod Center, New Jersey, as part of her Sticky & Sweet Tour, which became the highest-grossing tour by a solo artist at the time.
Her dynamic performances and innovative staging captivated audiences worldwide.
Today in Sports History
1966 – Bobby Orr’s NHL Debut: Hockey legend Bobby Orr made his professional debut with the Boston Bruins on this day against the Detroit Red Wings.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest defensemen in NHL history, Orr revolutionized the game with his offensive skills from the blue line.
1988 – Orel Hershiser Sets MLB Scoreless Innings Record: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser broke the Major League Baseball record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched on this day, reaching 59 innings.
His remarkable achievement came during a stellar season that saw him win the Cy Young Award.
Today in Military and Naval History
1777 – British Surrender at Saratoga: As mentioned earlier, British General John Burgoyne surrendered to American forces on this day during the American Revolutionary War.
This victory not only boosted American morale but also secured vital French military support for the colonies.
1944 – Battle of Leyte Begins in WWII: On this day, Allied forces under General Douglas MacArthur launched the campaign to retake the Philippine island of Leyte from Japanese control.
This battle marked a significant step in the liberation of the Philippines and a turning point in the Pacific Theater.
1986 – U.S. Navy Pilot Shot Down Over Lebanon: U.S. Navy Lieutenant Colonel David Goldfein was shot down over Lebanon on this day during a reconnaissance mission.
Though he was captured, his eventual release highlighted the ongoing tensions in the region during the 1980s.
Today in Tech and Science History
1908 – First Flight of a Powered Airship in the U.S.: The first successful flight of a powered airship in the United States took place on this day, conducted by Thomas Scott Baldwin in Hammondsport, New York.
This event marked an early milestone in American aviation history.
1975 – NASA Launches Intelsat IV Satellite: On this day, NASA successfully launched the Intelsat IV communications satellite into orbit.
This satellite played a key role in advancing global telecommunications during the latter half of the 20th century.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1883 – First Performance of “Faust” at the Met: Charles Gounod’s opera “Faust” had its inaugural performance at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City on this day, marking the beginning of the Met’s legacy as a premier venue for opera in the United States.
1926 – Publication of A.A. Milne’s “Winnie-the-Pooh”: On this day, A.A. Milne’s beloved children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” was first published in London.
Featuring the iconic bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, the book became a timeless classic in children’s literature.
1962 – Premiere of “Dr. No” in the U.S.: The first James Bond film, “Dr. No,” starring Sean Connery, premiered in the United States on this day after its earlier release in the UK.
The movie launched one of the most successful film franchises in history, defining the spy genre for decades.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1906 – First Animated Cartoon Released: On this day, the first animated cartoon, titled “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces,” created by J. Stuart Blackton, was released in the United States.
This quirky short film used stop-motion and chalk drawings to bring humor to early cinema audiences.
1984 – Man Survives Niagara Falls Plunge: A man named Kirk Jones became the first person to survive going over Niagara Falls without any protective gear on this day.
Miraculously escaping with only minor injuries, his stunt baffled authorities and made headlines as a bizarre feat of daring.
Today in History for Kids
1926 – Winnie-the-Pooh’s First Adventure: Kids, did you know that on this day, a lovable bear named Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared in a book by A.A. Milne?
This honey-loving character and his friends like Piglet and Tigger have been making children smile for almost a hundred years with their fun stories.
1979 – Mother Teresa Wins a Big Award: A kind lady named Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize on this day for helping poor and sick people in India.
She showed the world how important it is to care for others, no matter who they are.
1908 – A Giant Balloon Flies in America: Imagine a huge balloon flying in the sky with an engine!
On this day, the first powered airship flew in the United States, and it was a big step in learning how to travel through the air.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? Oldest Known Surrender in American History: The surrender of British General Burgoyne at Saratoga on this day in 1777 is often called one of the most important military events in American history.
It wasn’t just a win for the Americans; it also brought France into the war as an ally, changing the course of the revolution.
Did You Know? Earthquake on Live TV: When the Loma Prieta Earthquake struck San Francisco on this day in 1989, it interrupted the live broadcast of the World Series baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics.
Millions of viewers saw the shaking stadium, making it one of the most widely witnessed natural disasters on television.
Did You Know? Eminem’s Real Name: Rap superstar Eminem, born on this day in 1972, got his stage name from his initials, M&M (Marshall Mathers).
He turned it into Eminem, creating a name as unique as his music style.
Did You Know? A Record That Stood for Decades: Orel Hershiser’s 59 consecutive scoreless innings in baseball, set on this day in 1988, remained a record for nearly 30 years until it was surpassed in 2017, showing just how incredible his pitching streak was.