Europa
- Munich Olympics Massacre (1972)
On September 5, 1972, during the Munich Olympic Games in Germany, Palestinian militants from the Black September group attacked the Israeli delegation. Two athletes were killed immediately, and nine others were taken hostage. The crisis ended tragically with the deaths of all nine hostages, five militants, and a German police officer. - Formation of Benelux (1944)
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg formed the Benelux Union on this day in 1944. This agreement was a significant step toward economic and political cooperation in Western Europe and laid the groundwork for later European integration. - Great Fire of London Ends (1666)
The devastating Great Fire of London, which had started on September 2, 1666, ended on September 5. The fire destroyed around 10,000 buildings, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, but remarkably only six people were known to have died. - First Battle of the Marne Begins (1914)
On September 5, 1914, the First Battle of the Marne began near Paris during World War I. French and British forces confronted the advancing German army in a pivotal battle that ultimately halted the German advance into France. - Bombing of Le Havre and Bremen (1942)
During World War II, Britain and the United States bombed the French city of Le Havre and the German city of Bremen on September 5, 1942. - Occupation of Estonia by Nazi Germany (1941)
On this day in 1941, the entire territory of Estonia was occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II.
America
- First Labor Day Parade (1882)
On September 5, 1882, about 10,000 workers gathered in New York City for America’s first Labor Day parade, marking the beginning of an annual celebration dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. This event laid the foundation for Labor Day as a national holiday, which is now observed on the first Monday in September each year. - First Continental Congress Assembles (1774)
The First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 5, 1774, bringing together delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies to coordinate a response to British policies. This gathering was a crucial step toward American independence. - Sam Houston Elected President of Texas (1836)
On this day, Sam Houston was elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas after its successful revolt against Mexican rule, establishing Texas as an independent nation before it joined the United States. - Voyager 1 Launch (1977)
NASA launched the Voyager 1 spacecraft from Florida on September 5, 1977. Voyager 1 is now the farthest man-made object from Earth, having provided invaluable data about the outer planets and interstellar space. - Assassination Attempt on President Gerald Ford (1975)
In Sacramento, California, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a follower of Charles Manson, attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford. Ford was unharmed, and Fromme was quickly subdued. - Jesse James Born (1847)
The infamous American outlaw Jesse James was born on September 5, 1847. He became a legendary figure in the American West, leading a gang that committed numerous robberies and becoming the subject of extensive folklore. - Crazy Horse Dies (1877)
Oglala Sioux chief Crazy Horse, a prominent Native American leader during the Indian Wars, was killed on this day at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. - Treaty of Portsmouth Signed (1905)
The Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the Russo-Japanese War, was signed in New Hampshire, mediated by President Theodore Roosevelt. This event marked a significant moment in U.S. diplomatic history and earned Roosevelt the Nobel Peace Prize. - Battle of the Chesapeake (1781): French naval victory over the British during the American Revolutionary War, paving the way for the British surrender at Yorktown.
- First Legal Forward Pass in American Football (1906): The first legal forward pass in American football was thrown, changing the nature of the sport.
Asia
- British Troops Land in Singapore (1945)
On September 5, 1945, British troops landed in Singapore and took control without opposition, marking the end of Japanese occupation in the city following Japan’s surrender in World War II. This event was a significant milestone in the liberation of Southeast Asia from Japanese control. - Arrest of Iva Toguri D’Aquino (“Tokyo Rose”) in Japan (1945)
On the same day, Japanese American Iva Toguri D’Aquino was arrested in Yokohama on suspicion of being the wartime radio propagandist known as “Tokyo Rose”. Her arrest became a notable episode in postwar Japan-U.S. relations. - End of the Battle of Lingbi, China (1945)
In China, the Battle of Lingbi concluded on September 5, 1945, with a communist victory. This was one of several key battles during the Chinese Civil War that followed the end of World War II. - Death of Mother Teresa (1997)
Mother Teresa, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning humanitarian who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, died of a heart attack on September 5, 1997. Her passing was mourned worldwide, especially in India where she had devoted her life to serving the poor. - Teachers’ Day in India (from 1962)
Since 1962, September 5 has been celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India, commemorating the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the country’s second President and a respected philosopher and educator. The day honors teachers’ contributions to society. - Pan Am Flight 73 Hijacking in Karachi (1986)
On September 5, 1986, Pan Am Flight 73 was hijacked in Karachi, Pakistan, by armed militants. The incident resulted in the deaths of 20 passengers and crew, and remains one of the most tragic aviation-related terrorist attacks in Asia. - Japanese Surrender in Southeast Asia (1945): The formal surrender process and Allied occupation across Southeast Asia continued in early September 1945, with the official surrender in Singapore concluded on September 12, 1945.
- Ongoing Chinese Civil War: Several significant battles and campaigns in China occurred during this period, shaping the postwar political landscape.
Africa
- Léopold Sédar Senghor Elected First President of Senegal (1960)
On September 5, 1960, Senegal held its first presidential election after gaining independence from France, and Léopold Sédar Senghor was elected as the nation’s first president. Senghor, a prominent poet, philosopher, and statesman, would go on to play a crucial role in shaping modern Senegal and advancing African cultural identity. - Nelson Mandela Chosen as President of the African National Congress (1991)
On September 5, 1991, Nelson Mandela was chosen as president of the African National Congress (ANC), marking a pivotal moment in the anti-apartheid struggle and South Africa’s transition toward democracy. - South African Women’s March Against Gender-Based Violence (2019)
On September 5, 2019, South African women marched to Parliament in Cape Town to protest gender-based violence after a particularly deadly month in which 30 women were killed by their partners. This demonstration highlighted ongoing issues of violence against women and the demand for government action. - No major pan-African or continent-wide events are widely recorded for this date, but significant milestones in individual countries, especially Senegal and South Africa, stand out.
- Globally, September 5 has seen major events in Black history (such as the publication of Harriet Wilson’s novel in the U.S.), but these are not directly tied to Africa.
This day in history: 5 september