The Definitive Chronological Record of Human Events
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On This Day

May 05

YEAR 2023

The World Health Organization declares the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as a global health emergency.

The World Health Organization declares the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as a global health emergency.

YEAR 2010

Mass protests in Greece erupt in response to austerity measures imposed by the government as a result of the Greek government-debt crisis.

Mass protests in Greece erupt in response to austerity measures imposed by the government as a result of the Greek government-debt crisis.

YEAR 2007

Kenya Airways Flight 507 crashes after takeoff from Douala International Airport in Douala, Cameroon, killing all 114 aboard, making it the deadliest...

Kenya Airways Flight 507 crashes after takeoff from Douala International Airport in Douala, Cameroon, killing all 114 aboard, making it the deadliest aircraft disaster in Cameroon.

YEAR 2006

The government of Sudan signs an accord with the Sudan Liberation Army.

The government of Sudan signs an accord with the Sudan Liberation Army.

YEAR 1994

The signing of the Bishkek Protocol between Armenia and Azerbaijan effectively freezes the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The signing of the Bishkek Protocol between Armenia and Azerbaijan effectively freezes the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

YEAR 1994

American teenager Michael P. Fay is caned in Singapore for theft and vandalism.

American teenager Michael P. Fay is caned in Singapore for theft and vandalism.

YEAR 1991

A riot breaks out in the Mt. Pleasant section of Washington, D.C. after police shoot a Salvadoran man.

A riot breaks out in the Mt. Pleasant section of Washington, D.C. after police shoot a Salvadoran man.

YEAR 1987

Iran–Contra affair: Start of Congressional televised hearings in the United States.

Iran–Contra affair: Start of Congressional televised hearings in the United States.

YEAR 1985

Ronald Reagan visits the military cemetery at Bitburg and the site of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where he makes a speech.

Ronald Reagan visits the military cemetery at Bitburg and the site of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where he makes a speech.

YEAR 1981

Bobby Sands dies in the Long Kesh prison hospital after 66 days of hunger-striking, aged 27.

Bobby Sands dies in the Long Kesh prison hospital after 66 days of hunger-striking, aged 27.

YEAR 1980

Operation Nimrod: The British Special Air Service storms the Iranian embassy in London after a six-day siege.

Operation Nimrod: The British Special Air Service storms the Iranian embassy in London after a six-day siege.

YEAR 1973

Secretariat wins the 1973 Kentucky Derby in 1:59.4, an as-yet-unbeaten record.

Secretariat wins the 1973 Kentucky Derby in 1:59.4, an as-yet-unbeaten record.

YEAR 1972

Alitalia Flight 112 crashes into Mount Longa near Palermo, Sicily, killing all 115 aboard, making it the deadliest single-aircraft disaster in Italy.

Alitalia Flight 112 crashes into Mount Longa near Palermo, Sicily, killing all 115 aboard, making it the deadliest single-aircraft disaster in Italy.

YEAR 1964

The Council of Europe declares May 5 as Europe Day.

The Council of Europe declares May 5 as Europe Day.

YEAR 1961

Project Mercury: Alan Shepard becomes the first American to travel into outer space, on a sub-orbital flight.

Project Mercury: Alan Shepard becomes the first American to travel into outer space, on a sub-orbital flight.

YEAR 1955

The General Treaty, by which France, Britain and the United States recognize the sovereignty of West Germany, comes into effect.

The General Treaty, by which France, Britain and the United States recognize the sovereignty of West Germany, comes into effect.

YEAR 1945

World War II: Battle of Castle Itter, one of only two battles in that war in which American and German troops fought cooperatively.

World War II: Battle of Castle Itter, one of only two battles in that war in which American and German troops fought cooperatively.

YEAR 1945

World War II: A Fu-Go balloon bomb launched by the Japanese Army kills six people near Bly, Oregon.

World War II: A Fu-Go balloon bomb launched by the Japanese Army kills six people near Bly, Oregon.

YEAR 1945

World War II: The Prague uprising begins as an attempt by the Czech resistance to free the city from German occupation.

World War II: The Prague uprising begins as an attempt by the Czech resistance to free the city from German occupation.

YEAR 1941

Emperor Haile Selassie returns to Addis Ababa; the country commemorates the date as Liberation Day or Patriots' Victory Day.

Emperor Haile Selassie returns to Addis Ababa; the country commemorates the date as Liberation Day or Patriots' Victory Day.

YEAR 1940

World War II: Norwegian campaign: Norwegian squads in Hegra Fortress and Vinjesvingen capitulate to German forces after all other Norwegian forces in...

World War II: Norwegian campaign: Norwegian squads in Hegra Fortress and Vinjesvingen capitulate to German forces after all other Norwegian forces in southern Norway had laid down their arms.

YEAR 1912

The first issue of the Bolshevik newspaper Pravda was published.

The first issue of the Bolshevik newspaper Pravda was published.

YEAR 1905

The trial in the Stratton Brothers case begins in London, England; it marks the first time that fingerprint evidence is used to gain a conviction for...

The trial in the Stratton Brothers case begins in London, England; it marks the first time that fingerprint evidence is used to gain a conviction for murder.

YEAR 1904

Pitching against the Philadelphia Athletics at the Huntington Avenue Grounds, Cy Young of the Boston Americans throws the first perfect game in the mo...

Pitching against the Philadelphia Athletics at the Huntington Avenue Grounds, Cy Young of the Boston Americans throws the first perfect game in the modern era of baseball.

YEAR 1891

The Music Hall in New York City (later known as Carnegie Hall) has its grand opening and first public performance, with Tchaikovsky as the guest condu...

The Music Hall in New York City (later known as Carnegie Hall) has its grand opening and first public performance, with Tchaikovsky as the guest conductor.

YEAR 1877

American Indian Wars: Sitting Bull leads his band of Lakota into Canada to avoid harassment by the United States Army under Colonel Nelson Miles.

American Indian Wars: Sitting Bull leads his band of Lakota into Canada to avoid harassment by the United States Army under Colonel Nelson Miles.

YEAR 1866

Memorial Day first celebrated in United States at Waterloo, New York.

Memorial Day first celebrated in United States at Waterloo, New York.

YEAR 1835

The first railway in continental Europe opens between Brussels and Mechelen.

The first railway in continental Europe opens between Brussels and Mechelen.

YEAR 1821

Emperor Napoleon dies in exile on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Emperor Napoleon dies in exile on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.

YEAR 1821

The first edition of The Manchester Guardian, now The Guardian, is published.

The first edition of The Manchester Guardian, now The Guardian, is published.

YEAR 1809

Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U.S. patent, for a technique of weaving straw with silk and thread.

Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U.S. patent, for a technique of weaving straw with silk and thread.

YEAR 1789

In France, the Estates-General convenes for the first time since 1614.

In France, the Estates-General convenes for the first time since 1614.

YEAR 1762

Russia and Prussia sign the Treaty of St. Petersburg.

Russia and Prussia sign the Treaty of St. Petersburg.

YEAR 1494

On his second voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus sights Jamaica, landing at Discovery Bay and declares Jamaica the property of the Spanish...

On his second voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus sights Jamaica, landing at Discovery Bay and declares Jamaica the property of the Spanish crown.