This day in history: 5 may

Europa

Founding of the Council of Europe (1949)

• On May 5, 1949, the Council of Europe was founded in Strasbourg. This was the first major organization dedicated to European integration, promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across the continent. The Council of Europe now has 47 member states and is distinct from the European Union.

Europe Day

• May 5 is celebrated as Europe Day by the Council of Europe, marking the anniversary of its founding. The day symbolizes peace and unity in Europe and has been officially observed since 1964. The European Union celebrates its own Europe Day on May 9.

Recognition of West Germany’s Sovereignty (1955)

• On May 5, 1955, the General Treaty came into effect, with France, Britain, and the United States recognizing the full sovereignty of West Germany, ending the Allied occupation after World War II.

Other Notable Events

• On May 5, 1945, the Prague uprising began as Czech resistance fighters attempted to liberate Prague from German occupation near the end of World War II.
• The first railway in continental Europe opened between Brussels and Mechelen, Belgium, on May 5, 1835.

America

Cinco de Mayo

• May 5 is widely known in the United States as Cinco de Mayo, commemorating Mexico’s 1862 victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla. While it is a minor holiday in most of Mexico, in the U.S. it has become a major celebration of Mexican heritage and culture, marked by parades, music, food, and festivities, especially in cities with large Mexican-American populations.

First American in Space (1961)

• On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American to travel into space, making a sub-orbital flight aboard the Mercury capsule Freedom 7. This marked a major milestone in the U.S. space program.

Civil War Events

• On May 5, 1864, the Battle of the Wilderness began near Fredericksburg, Virginia, as part of the American Civil War, involving Union forces under Ulysses S. Grant and Confederate forces under Robert E. Lee.

Other Notable Events

• May 5, 1865: The first Decoration Day (now Memorial Day) was observed in the U.S., with the tradition of decorating soldiers’ graves from the Civil War with flowers.
• May 5, 1893: The Wall Street Crash of 1893 began, leading to a severe economic depression in the United States.

Asia

Kublai Khan Becomes Ruler of the Mongol Empire (1260)

• On May 5, 1260, Kublai Khan ascended as the ruler of the Mongol Empire. His reign marked a pivotal shift from conquest to administration, leading to the establishment of the Yuan dynasty in China and significant cultural integration between Mongol and Chinese traditions.

Coronation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand (1950)

• On May 5, 1950, Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned King of Thailand in a grand ceremony at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, an event that became a central moment in Thai history and royal tradition.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival (Hong Kong)

• May 5 is the date of the Cheung Chau Bun Festival in Hong Kong, a week-long celebration featuring Taoist rituals, parades, lion dances, and traditional music, attracting both locals and tourists.

Notable Battles

• Several significant battles in early Islamic history occurred in May 633, including the Battle of Walaja, the Battle of Ullais, and the Battle of Hira, as part of the Muslim conquest of Persia.

Africa

Italian Occupation of Addis Ababa (1936)

• On May 5, 1936, Italian troops occupied Addis Ababa, marking the end of the Second Italo-Ethiopian War and beginning a period of Italian rule over Ethiopia.

Liberation Day in Ethiopia (1941)

• On May 5, 1941, Emperor Haile Selassie returned to Addis Ababa after years in exile, symbolizing Ethiopia’s liberation from Italian occupation. This date is celebrated in Ethiopia as Liberation Day or Patriots’ Victory Day.

African World Heritage Day

• May 5 is recognized as African World Heritage Day by UNESCO, celebrating the continent’s rich cultural and natural heritage and raising awareness about the need to preserve African heritage sites.

Recent Events

• On May 5, 2025, significant news included attacks in South Sudan and ongoing instability in the region, as well as the phased withdrawal of South African troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of a regional peacekeeping mission.