What Happened on Dec 5

Dec 5 1492

Christopher Columbus Arrives at, and Names, Island of Hispaniola

The recorded history of Haiti began on December 5, 1492 when the European navigator Christopher Columbus happened upon a large island in the region... Read more

Dec 5 1590

Niccolo Sfondrati (Gegory XIV) elected Pope

Pope Gregory XIV (11 February, 1535 –16 October, 1591), born Niccolò Sfondrati, was Pope from 5 December, 1590 until his death in 1591. Gregory... Read more

Dec 5 1776

Phi Beta Kappa Is Founded

On December 5, 1776, Phi Beta Kappa, America's most prestigious undergraduate honor society, was founded at the College of William and Mary in... Read more

Dec 5 1777 to Dec 8 1777

Battle of White Marsh

The Battle of White Marsh was a battle of the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought December 5–8, 1777, in the area... Read more

Dec 5 1782

Martin Van Buren Is Born

Martin Van Buren, eighth president of the United States and founder of the Democratic Party, was born on December 5, 1782 in Kinderhook, New York.... Read more

Dec 5 1791

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Dies at the Age of 35

The composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died at 1:00 am on 5 December 1791 at the age of 35, following a short illness. Mozart fell ill while in... Read more

Dec 5 1793

The First Issue of Le Vieux Cordelier is Published

During the French Revolution, Le Vieux Cordelier was a journal of which seven issues were published, between 5 December 1793 and 25 January 1794.... Read more

Dec 5 1819

Father Thomas Lincoln Remarries Widow Sarah Bush Johnston

Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln (December 13, 1788 - April 12, 1869) was the second wife of Thomas Lincoln and stepmother of President of the United... Read more

Dec 5 1847

Jefferson Davis Appointed to U.S. Senate

Because of his war service, the governor of Mississippi appointed Davis to fill out the Senate term of the late Jesse Speight. He took his seat... Read more

Dec 5 1864 to Dec 7 1864

Third Battle of Murfreesboro

Description: In a last, desperate attempt to force Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s army out of Georgia, Gen. John Bell Hood led the Army of... Read more

Dec 5 1876

Brooklyn Theater Fire

Miss Kate Claxton reclined on a pallet of straw as she played the part of Louise, the blind girl in the popular melodrama of the times, “The Two... Read more

Dec 5 1901

Walt Disney is born

Walter Elias Disney (December 5, 1901–December 15, 1966) was a multiple Academy Award-winning American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice... Read more

Dec 5 1914

"Getting Acquainted" (film) is Released

Getting Acquainted is a 1914 American comedy silent film made by Keystone Studios starring Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand. Charlie and his... Read more

Dec 5 1933

The Twenty-first Amendment is ratified

The Twenty-first Amendment (Amendment XXI) to the United States Constitution repealed the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,... Read more

Dec 5 1940

Hundred Regiments Offensive Ends in Victory for Chinese

The Japanese North China Area Army estimated the strength of communist regulars to be about 88,000 in December 1939. Two years later, they revised... Read more

Dec 5 1941

Soviet Union Launches Counteroffensive Against Germany

Although the Wehrmacht's offensive had been stopped, German intelligence estimated that Soviet forces had no more reserves left and thus would be... Read more

Dec 5 1944

Les Horvath Wins Heisman Trophy

Les hit his peak in his senior year, gaining 924 yards on 163 carries for 5.7 yards per carry. He scored 12 touchdowns in 1944, and completed 14 of... Read more

Dec 5 1945

Flight 19 Disappears Over the Bermuda Triangle

Flight 19 was a training flight of TBM Avenger bombers that went missing on December 5, 1945 while over the Atlantic. The squadron's flight path... Read more

Dec 5 1952

The Great Smog of London

The Great Smog of '52 or Big Smoke was a severe air pollution event that affected London in December 1952. A period of cold weather combined with... Read more

Dec 5 1956

Nelson Mandela and 150 others arrested and charged with treason

Initially committed to nonviolent resistance, Mandela and 150 others were arrested on 5 December 1956 and charged with treason. The marathon... Read more

Dec 5 1957

"Sayonara" Is Released

Sayonara is 1957 color (Technicolor) American film. It tells the story of an American Air Force flier who was a fighter "Ace" during the Korean... Read more

Dec 5 1962

Terry Baker Wins Heisman Trophy

Terry Baker, Oregon State's quarterback, established an amazing record in total offense, running and passing for 4,980 yards, including 15... Read more

Dec 5 1965

U.S. Military Launches Covert Aerial Interdiction Campaign, Operation Tiger Hound

Operation Tiger Hound was a covert U.S. 2nd Air Division, later Seventh Air Force and U.S. Navy Task Force 77 aerial interdiction campaign... Read more

Dec 5 1968

O.J. Simpson Wins Heisman Trophy

O.J. Simpson piled up a monumental record in two seasons at USC. In 18 games he gained 3,187 yards, scored 21 touchdowns in 1968 and 13 in 1967.... Read more

Dec 5 1969

The Rolling Stones Release 'Let It Bleed'

And then there is track eight of each one -- "Stray Cat Blues" from Beggar's Banquet and "Monkey Man" from Let It Bleed. Both have Jagger out of... Read more