Europa
- Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day in Croatia (1995)
On August 5, Croatia celebrates Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders. This marks the liberation of the town of Knin in 1995 during Operation Storm, a decisive military action that effectively ended the Croatian War of Independence. On this day, a large Croatian flag was raised over Knin Fortress, symbolizing the reclaiming of territory and the restoration of Croatian sovereignty over significant parts of the country. - First Partition of Poland (1772)
On August 5, 1772, the representatives of Austria, Prussia, and Russia signed conventions that led to the First Partition of Poland. This event marked the beginning of the end for the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, as the three powers annexed large portions of its territory over the following months. - Coronation of Henry I of England (1100)
Henry I was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey on August 5, 1100, following the death of his brother, William II. His reign would be marked by administrative reforms and efforts to consolidate royal power. - Battle of Petrovaradin (1716)
In the Austro-Turkish War, the Battle of Petrovaradin took place on August 5, 1716. The Habsburg forces, under Prince Eugene of Savoy, defeated the Ottoman army, halting their advance into Central Europe. - Bertha Benz’s Historic Drive (1888)
On August 5, 1888, Bertha Benz made the first long-distance automobile journey, traveling 106 km from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany, in a Benz Patent-Motorwagen. This journey demonstrated the viability of the automobile and was a milestone in automotive history. - In 1940, the Soviet Union formally annexed Latvia, turning it into the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic.
- In 1939, during the Spanish Civil War, thirteen female members of the Unified Socialist Youth were executed by Francoist forces in Madrid, an event remembered as “The Thirteen Roses”.
- In 1460, the Kingdom of Scotland captured Roxburgh from the English, marking a significant victory during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
America
- Battle of Mobile Bay (1864) – American Civil War
On August 5, 1864, Admiral David Farragut led a Union flotilla through Confederate defenses in Mobile Bay, Alabama. His victory sealed off one of the last major Southern ports, significantly contributing to the Union’s eventual triumph in the Civil War. - First English Colony in North America (1583)
Sir Humphrey Gilbert established the first English colony in North America at what is now St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, on August 5, 1583. This marked the beginning of England’s colonial presence in the New World. - Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Signed (1963)
The United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union signed the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on August 5, 1963, in Moscow. This treaty prohibited nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater, though underground testing continued until later treaties. - Operation Pierce Arrow – Vietnam War (1964)
On August 5, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered air strikes against North Vietnam in retaliation for attacks on U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin, marking a significant escalation of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. - Cornerstone of the Statue of Liberty Laid (1884)
The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty was laid on Bedloe’s Island (now Liberty Island) in New York Harbor on August 5, 1884, beginning the construction of one of America’s most iconic symbols. - First U.S. Income Tax Levied (1861)
To help finance the Civil War, the United States government levied its first income tax on August 5, 1861, as part of the Revenue Act of 1861. The tax was set at 3% for incomes over $800 and was later rescinded in 1872. - Julia Archibald Holmes Summits Pikes Peak (1858)
Julia Archibald Holmes became the first woman on record to reach the summit of Pikes Peak, Colorado, on August 5, 1858, marking a milestone in American mountaineering and women’s history. - Spanish Ship San Carlos Enters San Francisco Bay (1775)
On August 5, 1775, the Spanish ship San Carlos, commanded by Juan Manuel de Ayala, became the first recorded European vessel to enter San Francisco Bay, an event that shaped the future of the American West. - Marilyn Monroe’s Death (1962)
Famed American actress Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Los Angeles home on August 5, 1962, an event that shocked the nation and remains a subject of public fascination.
Asia
- On August 5, 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370, ending the special autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir. The state was reorganized into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This move was highly significant for India’s political landscape and led to widespread discussion and controversy across the nation.
- On August 5, 2020, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the “Bhoomi Pujan” (groundbreaking ceremony) for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, marking a major milestone in a decades-long religious and legal dispute. The event was celebrated as a cultural turning point for many Hindus.
- Japan: Key Anniversaries
- August 5 marks several important events in Japanese history:
- 1874: Launch of Japan’s postal savings system, inspired by England’s model.
- 1882: Martial law enacted in Japan.
- 1912: The first taxicab service begins in Ginza, Tokyo.
- 1944: The Cowra breakout—one of the largest prison escapes in history—occurred when 545 Japanese POWs attempted to escape from a camp in Cowra, Australia.
- South Asia: 1965 Indo-Pakistani War
On August 5, 1965, hostilities escalated as Pakistani forces crossed the Line of Control in Kashmir, marking the beginning of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. This conflict had a profound impact on regional politics and military history. - China: Cultural Revolution Incident (1966)
On August 5, 1966, during the early days of China’s Cultural Revolution, a group of Red Guards at a Beijing high school killed deputy vice principal Bian Zhongyun. This was one of the first fatalities of the Cultural Revolution and signaled the start of a period of intense social upheaval. - Bangladesh: Political Upheaval (2024)
On August 5, 2024, Bangladesh’s long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country amid mass protests. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was named interim leader, marking a dramatic shift in the nation’s leadership. - 1906: In Iran, Shah Mozaffar ad-Din Qajar agreed to convert the government to a constitutional monarchy, a pivotal moment in the Persian Constitutional Revolution.
- 2019: Hong Kong saw massive antigovernment protests and a general strike, bringing the city to a near standstill as demonstrators demanded universal suffrage and investigations into police conduct.
Africa
- Independence of Burkina Faso (1960)
On August 5, 1960, Burkina Faso—then known as the Republic of Upper Volta—gained its independence from France after more than 60 years of colonial rule. This pivotal event marked the end of French colonial administration and the beginning of self-governance, with Maurice Yaméogo becoming the first president. The country’s name was later changed to Burkina Faso in 1984, meaning “Land of Incorruptible People”. - Nelson Mandela Arrested (1962)
On August 5, 1962, Nelson Mandela, the prominent South African anti-apartheid leader, was arrested by the government near Johannesburg. This arrest led to his long imprisonment at Robben Island, where he spent 18 years of his 27-year incarceration. Mandela’s eventual release in 1990 became a turning point in the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa. - Inventions by Africans: William Bailis Patent (1879)
On August 5, 1879, William Bailis received a patent for his “Improvement in Adjustable Supports for Ladder-scaffolds.” This invention is an example of African innovation and contribution to technological advancement. - Mauritania: Presidential Inauguration (2009)
On August 5, 2009, General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was sworn in as President of Mauritania following elections. His rise to power followed a coup in 2008, and his presidency marked a significant moment in the country’s political history.
This day in history: 5 august