This day in history: 5 june

Europa

• Abolition of Absolute Monarchy in Denmark (1849)
  On June 5, 1849, Denmark abolished its absolute monarchy and adopted a new constitution, establishing a constitutional monarchy with a parliament. This day, known as Danish Constitution Day (Grundlovsdag), is one of Denmark’s most important national holidays.
• Murder of Saint Boniface (755)
  On June 5, 755, the English missionary Boniface, known as the “Apostle of Germany,” was murdered in what is now the Netherlands, along with 53 companions. Boniface played a crucial role in the Christianization of parts of what is now Germany.
• The First Orient Express Departs (1883)
  The famous Orient Express luxury train departed Paris for the first time on June 5, 1883, marking the beginning of an iconic era in European rail travel.
• The Paris Uprising and Victor Hugo (1832)
  On June 5, 1832, during an uprising in Paris, Victor Hugo, the famed French writer, witnessed soldiers firing on republican rebels in the Tuileries garden. This experience deeply influenced him and later inspired his classic novel Les Misérables.
• The Marshall Plan Announced (1947)
  On June 5, 1947, U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall announced the Marshall Plan in a speech at Harvard University. The plan provided economic assistance for the reconstruction of Europe after World War II and was pivotal in Western Europe’s recovery.
• Allied Airborne Operations Before D-Day (1944)
  On the night of June 5, 1944, in preparation for the D-Day invasion of Normandy, 13,400 American paratroopers boarded aircraft for the largest airborne operation in history. This operation set the stage for the Allied landings on June 6, a turning point in World War II.
• Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy (1968): While not a European event, the assassination of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968, had global repercussions and was widely reported across Europe.
• Start of the Six-Day War (1967): The Six-Day War between Israel and neighboring Arab countries began on June 5, 1967. The conflict’s outcome had significant geopolitical impacts, including for European foreign policy and Jewish communities.

America

• Robert F. Kennedy Assassination (1968)
  On June 5, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, a leading Democratic presidential candidate, was shot by Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles shortly after delivering a victory speech following the California primary. Kennedy died the next day, marking a major turning point in U.S. political history.
• First Recognized Cases of AIDS (1981)
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported five cases of a rare pneumonia in Los Angeles on June 5, 1981, marking the first official recognition of what would become the AIDS epidemic. This report signaled the beginning of a public health crisis that would have a profound impact on the U.S. and the world.
• Death of Ronald Reagan (2004)
  Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, died on June 5, 2004, in Los Angeles at age 93 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Reagan’s presidency and legacy continue to influence American politics.
• The Marshall Plan Announced (1947)
  On June 5, 1947, U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall delivered a speech at Harvard University proposing the European Recovery Program, later known as the Marshall Plan. This initiative provided crucial economic aid to help rebuild Europe after World War II and shaped U.S. foreign policy in the postwar era.
• Supreme Court Ruling on Segregation (1950): The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregation of African Americans in railroad dining cars violated the Interstate Commerce Act.
• Teton Dam Collapse (1976): The Teton Dam in Idaho collapsed, killing 14 people and causing massive flooding and property damage.
• Introduction of Bananas to America (1876): Bananas were introduced to Americans at the Philadelphia World’s Fair, becoming an instant hit.
• Houston Incorporated (1837): The city of Houston, Texas, was officially incorporated by the Republic of Texas.
• Battle of Piedmont (1864): During the American Civil War, Union forces defeated Confederate troops at Piedmont, Virginia, capturing nearly 1,000 prisoners.

Asia

• Tiananmen Square “Tank Man” Incident (1989): On June 5, 1989, following the violent military crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, a lone protester—famously known as “Tank Man”—stood in front of a column of tanks, temporarily halting their advance. This iconic act of defiance became a global symbol of resistance, occurring the day after the main massacre, as the military solidified control over the city.
• Jiaochangkou Tunnel Tragedy in Chongqing (1941): During the Anti-Japanese War, on June 5, 1941, intense Japanese bombing raids on Chongqing forced many residents to seek shelter in the Jiaochangkou Tunnel. Overcrowding and lack of ventilation led to the suffocation deaths of a large number of civilians, an event remembered as the “June 5 Tunnel Suffocation Tragedy”.
• Birth of Pu Songling (1640): The renowned Chinese author, best known for his collection of supernatural tales “Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio,” was born on June 5, 1640.
• Aurangzeb Ascends the Mughal Throne (1659): On June 5, 1659, Aurangzeb officially became the ruler of the Mughal Empire, marking a significant turning point in Indian history.
• Death of M.S. Golwalkar (1973): M.S. Golwalkar, the influential second chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), passed away on this day.
• Operation Blue Star (1984): The Indian Army, under Major General Kuldip Singh Brar, launched Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on June 5, 1984. The operation aimed to remove militants from the holy site and led to significant casualties and controversy.
• Completion of Azuchi Castle (1579): Oda Nobunaga completed the construction of Azuchi Castle, a landmark in Japanese architecture and feudal history, on June 5, 1579.
• Japan Meteorological Agency Begins Official Timekeeping (1875): The agency started keeping official time, marking a step in Japan’s modernization.
• Battle of Midway Begins (1942): The pivotal Battle of Midway in the Pacific War began on June 5, 1942, involving Japanese and American forces.
• Opening of the National Diet Library (1948): Japan’s National Diet Library, the country’s national parliamentary library, opened its doors on this day.
• World Environment Day (1972): June 5 is celebrated globally, including across Asia, as World Environment Day, established by the United Nations to promote environmental awareness and action.

Africa

• In June 1960, the Democratic Republic of Congo gained independence from Belgium, with Patrice Lumumba as prime minister and Joseph Kasavubu as president. While the official independence day is June 30, the entire month marked a period of significant political change and turmoil, including army mutinies and the secession of Katanga shortly after independence.
• In June 2005, South African President Thabo Mbeki dismissed his deputy, Jacob Zuma, following a corruption case. Although the exact date was not June 5, this event marked a major shift in South African politics and the future leadership of the country.
• In June 2006, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited South Africa and pledged to limit clothing exports to help South Africa’s textile industry, reflecting growing China-Africa relations.