This day in history: 5 february

62 AD: A significant earthquake struck Pompeii, Italy, foreshadowing the later eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
1782: Spanish forces defeated the British and captured the island of Minorca, a strategic Mediterranean possession.
1818: Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte ascended to the thrones of Sweden and Norway, marking a key moment in Scandinavian royal history.
1852: The Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, one of the world’s largest and oldest museums, opened to the public.
1859: Alexandru Ioan Cuza was elected prince of both Moldavia and Wallachia, uniting the two principalities and laying the groundwork for modern Romania.
1918: The SS Tuscania, carrying American troops, was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland, resulting in the loss of 210 lives.
1943: In Italy, Prime Minister Benito Mussolini dismissed his Foreign Minister (and son-in-law) Count Galeazzo Ciano and assumed the role himself during World War II.
1811: The Regency Act was passed in Britain, allowing Prince George of Wales to rule as regent due to King George III’s mental illness.
1852: The Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg opened to the public.

1917: The U.S. Congress passed the Immigration Act of 1917 over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto. This law imposed literacy tests on immigrants and expanded the list of “undesirables” barred from entering the country, marking a major shift in U.S. immigration policy.
1918: Stephen W. Thompson became the first member of the U.S. military to shoot down an enemy aircraft in combat, marking a milestone in American military aviation history.
1919: United Artists, a major film studio, was founded by Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith, shaping Hollywood’s future and the film industry.
1900: The United States and the United Kingdom signed a treaty relating to the construction of the Panama Canal, a pivotal event in the history of Central America and U.S. foreign policy.
1917: The new Mexican Constitution was adopted, introducing sweeping social reforms and becoming a foundational document for modern Mexico.
1783: Sweden recognized the independence of the United States, reflecting the growing international acceptance of the young nation.
1817: Hannah Lord Montague of New York invented the first detachable shirt collar, a small but notable contribution to American fashion and industry.

1597: Execution of the 26 Martyrs of Nagasaki (Japan)
Twenty-six Christians, including European missionaries and Japanese converts, were executed by crucifixion in Nagasaki. This was part of a crackdown on Christianity by the Japanese government, which feared foreign influence and colonial ambitions. The event is commemorated as a turning point in Japanese religious history and is known as the Martyrs of Nagasaki.
756: An Lushan Declares Himself Emperor (China)
An Lushan, leader of a major rebellion against the Tang Dynasty, declared himself emperor and established the short-lived state of Yan, marking a pivotal moment in Chinese history.
COVID-19 Pandemic (Asia, 2022)
On February 5, 2022, several Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea, reported record numbers of COVID-19 cases, underscoring the pandemic’s continued impact on the continent.

February 5th in African history is most notably marked by National Unity Day in Burundi. This public holiday, established by President Pierre Buyoya, is dedicated to promoting national unity and reconciliation between the Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups following decades of conflict and ethnic violence. The Charter of National Unity, approved by referendum in 1991, aimed to end ethnic discrimination and foster peace in the country. Unity Day has been celebrated annually on February 5th since the early 1990s as a symbol of Burundi’s ongoing efforts toward social cohesion and healing after its civil war and tragic episodes of genocide.
In 1903, the British began the pacification of Northern Nigeria, consolidating colonial control in West Africa.
On February 5, 2011, the Islamist insurgency in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula escalated, becoming a significant security issue in North Africa.
On February 5, 372, Firmus led a revolt in Roman North Africa, an early example of resistance within the continent.