Europa
- Guy Fawkes Day and the Gunpowder Plot (1605)
On November 5, 1605, the infamous Gunpowder Plot was foiled in England. A group of Catholic conspirators, led by Robert Catesby and including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament. Their goal was to assassinate King James I and replace him with a Catholic monarch to end the persecution of Catholics in England. Guy Fawkes was discovered guarding barrels of gunpowder beneath the Parliament and arrested, leading to the execution of the plotters for treason. - The failure of the plot is commemorated annually in the United Kingdom as Guy Fawkes Day or Bonfire Night, with fireworks, bonfires, and the burning of effigies (traditionally of Fawkes, and sometimes of other figures). The event quickly became embedded in British culture, originally as a thanksgiving for the king’s survival and later as a broader celebration with anti-Catholic overtones.
- The Glorious Revolution: William of Orange Lands in England (1688)
On November 5, 1688, William of Orange landed at Brixham, Devon, with a large invasion fleet and army. This marked the beginning of the Glorious Revolution, a pivotal event in British history that led to the overthrow of King James II. William’s arrival was welcomed by many, especially Protestants who opposed James II’s Catholic policies. The revolution resulted in the Protestant succession and the strengthening of parliamentary power over the monarchy. - World War I: France and the British Empire Declare War on the Ottoman Empire (1914)
On November 5, 1914, during World War I, France and the British Empire formally declared war on the Ottoman Empire, expanding the scope of the conflict and involving new fronts in the Middle East. - Proclamation of the Kingdom of Poland (1916)
On November 5, 1916, the Act of November 5th was issued by the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires, proclaiming the Kingdom of Poland. This was a political move during World War I, aiming to gain Polish support against Russia. - Reopening of the Vienna State Opera (1955)
On November 5, 1955, the Vienna State Opera in Austria reopened with a performance of Beethoven’s “Fidelio.” The opera house had been heavily damaged during World War II, and its restoration symbolized Austria’s post-war recovery and cultural resilience.
America
- 1844: James K. Polk was elected President.
- 1872: Ulysses S. Grant was re-elected to a second term.
- 1912: Woodrow Wilson was elected the 28th President.
- 1940: Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to a record third term.
- 1968: Richard Nixon was elected President.
- 1996: Bill Clinton was re-elected.
- Susan B. Anthony Votes (1872)
On November 5, 1872, suffragist Susan B. Anthony cast a ballot in the presidential election in defiance of laws prohibiting women from voting. She was later arrested and fined $100, a pivotal moment in the U.S. women’s suffrage movement. - American Civil War
In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln removed General George B. McClellan as commander of the Army of the Potomac, marking a significant shift in Union leadership during the Civil War. - Fort Hood Shooting (2009)
On November 5, 2009, the deadliest mass shooting at a U.S. military installation occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, when Major Nidal Malik Hasan killed 13 people and wounded 29 others. - 1895: George B. Selden received the first U.S. patent for an automobile.
- 1930: Sinclair Lewis became the first American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
- 1959: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opened in New York City.
- 2014: One World Trade Center officially opened in New York City, symbolizing resilience after the 9/11 attacks.
Asia
- Second Battle of Panipat (1556, India)
On November 5, 1556, the Second Battle of Panipat took place between the forces of the young Mughal emperor Akbar and the Hindu king Hem Chandra Vikramaditya (Hemu), who ruled Delhi. This pivotal battle resulted in a decisive Mughal victory, solidifying Akbar’s rule in northern India and shaping the course of the Mughal Empire. - Lý Anh Tông Becomes Emperor (1138, Vietnam)
On November 5, 1138, Lý Anh Tông was enthroned as emperor of Vietnam at the age of two. He would go on to reign for 37 years, one of the longest reigns in Vietnamese history. - World War I: Britain and France Declare War on the Ottoman Empire (1914, West Asia)
On November 5, 1914, during World War I, Britain and France declared war on the Ottoman Empire, marking a significant escalation in the conflict and bringing the Middle Eastern theatre into the global war. - China’s First Lunar Satellite, Chang’e 1, Enters Lunar Orbit (2007, China)
On November 5, 2007, China’s first lunar satellite, Chang’e 1, successfully entered orbit around the Moon. This milestone marked China’s entry into the era of lunar exploration and was a major achievement for its space program. - Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict (2020, South Caucasus)
On November 5, 2020, the Nagorno-Karabakh war saw intense fighting, including the bombardment of Stepanakert by Azerbaijani forces and the closure of the strategic Lachin corridor by Armenian forces. This conflict involved significant humanitarian concerns and international attention. - Korean War (1950): British and Australian forces halted the advancing Chinese 117th Division during the Battle of Pakchon on November 5.
- Political Events in Southeast Asia: While not tied to a specific November 5 event, the region has seen major historical developments around this date, such as the reign of King Naresuan in Thailand (1590–1605), who ended Burmese overlordship and expanded the Ayutthaya kingdom.
Africa
- Mali: Prophet’s Baptism (Maouloud)
November 5 is a national holiday in Mali known as the Prophet’s Baptism. This celebration occurs on the seventh day after the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad and is unique to Mali, where it is observed with special religious significance and public festivities. - Liberia: Thanksgiving Day
Liberia celebrates its own version of Thanksgiving Day on November 5. While similar in spirit to the American holiday, Liberia’s Thanksgiving is rooted in the nation’s history as a country founded by freed African-American slaves and is a day for giving thanks for freedom and national foundation. - 1911: Italy Annexes Tripoli and Cyrenaica (Libya)
On November 5, 1911, following a declaration of war on the Ottoman Empire, Italy formally annexed Tripoli and Cyrenaica—territories that make up modern-day Libya. This marked the beginning of Italian colonial rule in North Africa and had a lasting impact on the region’s history. - While no other continent-wide events are specifically tied to November 5, this date falls within a period of significant anti-colonial activity and independence movements across Africa during the 20th century, as well as various local commemorations and milestones.
This day in history: 5 november