Vintage News · Odd history for August 5

What Happened On August 5

Q: What happened on August 5?

1888: Bertha Benz made the first long-distance automobile trip, driving 106 km (66 mi) from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany, in a Benz Patent-Motorwagen. 1974: Watergate scandal: President Richard Nixon, under orders of the US Supreme Court, releases the "Smoking Gun" tape, recorded on June 23, 1972, clearly revealing his actions in covering up and interfering investigations into the break-in. His political support vanishes completely. 1888: Bertha Benz drives from Mannheim to Pforzheim and back in the first long distance automobile trip, commemorated as the Bertha Benz Memorial Route since 2008. 1772: Russia, Prussia and Habsburg Austria began the First Partition of Poland, with the primary motive to restore the regional balance of power in Eastern Europe. 1460: The Kingdom of Scotland captures Roxburgh, one of the last English strongholds in Scotland, following a siege. 25: Liu Xiu (pictured) proclaimed himself the monarch of the Han dynasty as Emperor Guangwu. 1901: Peter O'Connor sets the first World Athletics recognised long jump world record of 24 ft 11.75 in (7.6137 m), a record that would stand for 20 years. 1864: American Civil War: The Battle of Mobile Bay begins at Mobile Bay near Mobile, Alabama, Admiral David Farragut leads a Union flotilla through Confederate defenses and seals one of the last major Southern ports. 1861: American Civil War: In order to help pay for the war effort, the United States government levies the first income tax as part of the Revenue Act of 1861 (3% of all incomes over US$800; rescinded in 1872). 1858: Cyrus West Field and others complete the first transatlantic telegraph cable after several unsuccessful attempts. It will operate for less than a month.

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10 odd things that happened on August 5

1888 First ever
Bertha Benz made the first long-distance automobile trip, driving 106 km (66 mi) from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany, in a Benz Patent-Motorwagen.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1974 Oddly true
Watergate scandal: President Richard Nixon, under orders of the US Supreme Court, releases the "Smoking Gun" tape, recorded on June 23, 1972, clearly revealing his actions in covering up and interfering investigations into the break-in. His political support vanishes completely.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1888 First ever
Bertha Benz drives from Mannheim to Pforzheim and back in the first long distance automobile trip, commemorated as the Bertha Benz Memorial Route since 2008.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1772 First ever
Russia, Prussia and Habsburg Austria began the First Partition of Poland, with the primary motive to restore the regional balance of power in Eastern Europe.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1460 Oddly true
The Kingdom of Scotland captures Roxburgh, one of the last English strongholds in Scotland, following a siege.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
25 Oddly true
Liu Xiu (pictured) proclaimed himself the monarch of the Han dynasty as Emperor Guangwu.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1901 First ever
Peter O'Connor sets the first World Athletics recognised long jump world record of 24 ft 11.75 in (7.6137 m), a record that would stand for 20 years.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1864 Oddly true
American Civil War: The Battle of Mobile Bay begins at Mobile Bay near Mobile, Alabama, Admiral David Farragut leads a Union flotilla through Confederate defenses and seals one of the last major Southern ports.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1861 First ever
American Civil War: In order to help pay for the war effort, the United States government levies the first income tax as part of the Revenue Act of 1861 (3% of all incomes over US$800; rescinded in 1872).
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1858 First ever
Cyrus West Field and others complete the first transatlantic telegraph cable after several unsuccessful attempts. It will operate for less than a month.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Observed today

2024Following the non-cooperation movement against the government of Bangladesh, Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigns and flees the country, ending her rule of 15 consecutive years and a total of almost two decades. The date is also known as 36 July. Wikipedia →
2021Australia's second most populous state Victoria enters its sixth COVID-19 lockdown, enacting stage four restrictions statewide in reaction to six new COVID-19 cases recorded that morning. Wikipedia →
2019The revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (state) occurred and the state was bifurcated into two union territories (Jammu and Kashmir (union territory) and Ladakh). Wikipedia →
2015The Environmental Protection Agency at Gold King Mine waste water spill releases three million gallons of heavy metal toxin tailings and waste water into the Animas River in Colorado. Wikipedia →
2012The Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting took place in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, killing six victims; the perpetrator committed suicide after being wounded by police. Wikipedia →
2010The Copiapó mining accident occurs, trapping 33 Chilean miners approximately 2,300 ft (700 m) below the ground for 69 days. Wikipedia →
2010Ten members of International Assistance Mission Nuristan Eye Camp team are killed by persons unknown in Kuran wa Munjan District of Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. Wikipedia →
2008The New England Revolution win the 2008 North American SuperLiga final against the Houston Dynamo. Wikipedia →
2003A car bomb explodes in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta outside the Marriott Hotel killing 12 and injuring 150. Wikipedia →
1995Yugoslav Wars: The city of Knin, Croatia, a significant Serb stronghold, is taken by Croatian forces during Operation Storm. The date is celebrated in Croatia as Victory Day. Wikipedia →
1984A Biman Bangladesh Airlines Fokker F27 Friendship crashes on approach to Zia International Airport, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, killing all 49 people on board. Wikipedia →
1981President Ronald Reagan fires 11,359 striking air-traffic controllers who ignored his order for them to return to work. Wikipedia →
1979In Afghanistan, Maoists undertake the Bala Hissar uprising against the Leninist government. Wikipedia →
1974Watergate scandal: President Richard Nixon, under orders of the US Supreme Court, releases the "Smoking Gun" tape, recorded on June 23, 1972, clearly revealing his actions in covering up and interfering investigations into the break-in. His political support vanishes completely. Wikipedia →
1973Mars 6 is launched from the USSR. Wikipedia →
1971The first Pacific Islands Forum (then known as the "South Pacific Forum") is held in Wellington, New Zealand, with the aim of enhancing cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific Ocean. Wikipedia →
1969The Lonesome Cowboys police raid occurs in Atlanta, Georgia, leading to the creation of the Georgia Gay Liberation Front. Wikipedia →
1966A group of red guards at Experimental High in Beijing, including Deng Rong and Liu Pingping, daughters of Deng Xiaoping and Liu Shaoqi respectively, beat the deputy vice principal, Bian Zhongyun, to death with sticks after accusing her of counter-revolutionary revisionism, producing one of the first fatalities of the Cultural Revolution. Wikipedia →
1965The Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 begins as Pakistani soldiers cross the Line of Control dressed as locals. Wikipedia →
1964Vietnam War: Operation Pierce Arrow: American aircraft from carriers USS Ticonderoga and USS Constellation bomb North Vietnam in retaliation for strikes against U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin. Wikipedia →
1963Cold War: The United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union sign the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Wikipedia →
1962Apartheid: Nelson Mandela is jailed. He would not be released until 1990. Wikipedia →
1962American actress Marilyn Monroe is found dead at her home from a drug overdose. Wikipedia →
1960Burkina Faso, then known as Upper Volta, becomes independent from France. Wikipedia →
1957American Bandstand, a show dedicated to the teenage "baby-boomers" by playing the songs and showing popular dances of the time, debuts on the ABC television network. Wikipedia →
1949In Ecuador, an earthquake destroys 50 towns and kills more than 6,000. Wikipedia →
1949In Montana, 12 smokejumper firefighters and a US Forest Service fire guard are killed in the Mann Gulch Fire. Wikipedia →
1944World War II: At least 1,104 Japanese POWs in Australia attempt to escape from a camp at Cowra, New South Wales; 545 temporarily succeed but are later either killed, commit suicide, or are recaptured. Wikipedia →
1944World War II: Polish insurgents liberate a German labor camp (Gęsiówka) in Warsaw, freeing 348 Jewish prisoners. Wikipedia →
1944World War II: The Nazis begin a week-long massacre of between 40,000 and 50,000 civilians and prisoners of war in Wola, Poland. Wikipedia →
1940World War II: The Soviet Union formally annexes Latvia. Wikipedia →
1939The Thirteen Roses: Thirteen female members of the Unified Socialist Youth are executed by Francoist forces in Madrid, Spain. Wikipedia →
1931Judge and Nazi Party member Werner Best drafts the Boxheim Documents, which described a violent takeover of the government by the NSDAP. Wikipedia →
1926Harry Houdini performs his greatest feat, spending 91 minutes underwater in a sealed tank before escaping. Wikipedia →
1925Plaid Cymru is formed with the aim of disseminating knowledge of the Welsh language that is at the time in danger of dying out. Wikipedia →
1916World War I: Battle of Romani: Allied forces, under the command of Archibald Murray, defeat an attacking Ottoman army under the command of Friedrich Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein, securing the Suez Canal and beginning the Ottoman retreat from the Sinai Peninsula. Wikipedia →
1914World War I: The German minelayer SS Königin Luise lays a minefield about 40 miles (64 km) off the Thames Estuary (Lowestoft). She is intercepted and sunk by the British light-cruiser HMS Amphion. Wikipedia →
1914World War I: The guns of Point Nepean fort at Port Phillip Heads in Victoria (Australia) fire across the bows of the Norddeutscher Lloyd steamer SS Pfalz which is attempting to leave the Port of Melbourne in ignorance of the declaration of war and she is detained; this is said to be the first Allied shot of the War. Wikipedia →
1914In Cleveland, Ohio, the first electric traffic light is installed. Wikipedia →
1906Persian Constitutional Revolution: Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar, King of Iran, agrees to convert the government to a constitutional monarchy. Wikipedia →
1901Peter O'Connor sets the first World Athletics recognised long jump world record of 24 ft 11.75 in (7.6137 m), a record that would stand for 20 years. Wikipedia →
1888Bertha Benz drives from Mannheim to Pforzheim and back in the first long distance automobile trip, commemorated as the Bertha Benz Memorial Route since 2008. Wikipedia →
1884The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty is laid on Bedloe's Island (now Liberty Island) in New York Harbor. Wikipedia →
1882Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, today known as ExxonMobil, is established officially. The company would later grow to become the holder of all Standard Oil companies and the entity at the center of the breakup of Standard Oil. Wikipedia →
1874Japan launches its postal savings system, modeled after a similar system in the United Kingdom. Wikipedia →
1864American Civil War: The Battle of Mobile Bay begins at Mobile Bay near Mobile, Alabama, Admiral David Farragut leads a Union flotilla through Confederate defenses and seals one of the last major Southern ports. Wikipedia →
1862American Civil War: Battle of Baton Rouge: Along the Mississippi River near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Confederate troops attempt to take the city, but are driven back by fire from Union gunboats. Wikipedia →
1861American Civil War: In order to help pay for the war effort, the United States government levies the first income tax as part of the Revenue Act of 1861 (3% of all incomes over US$800; rescinded in 1872). Wikipedia →
1861The United States Army abolishes flogging. Wikipedia →
1860Charles XV of Sweden–Norway is crowned king of Norway in Trondheim. Wikipedia →
1858Cyrus West Field and others complete the first transatlantic telegraph cable after several unsuccessful attempts. It will operate for less than a month. Wikipedia →
1824Greek War of Independence: Konstantinos Kanaris leads a Greek fleet to victory against Ottoman and Egyptian naval forces in the Battle of Samos. Wikipedia →
1816The British Admiralty dismisses Francis Ronalds's new invention of the first working electric telegraph as "wholly unnecessary", preferring to continue using the semaphore. Wikipedia →
1796The Battle of Castiglione in Napoleon's first Italian campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars results in a French victory. Wikipedia →
1781British and Dutch ships engage in the second Battle of Dogger Bank. Wikipedia →
1772First Partition of Poland: The representatives of Austria, Prussia, and Russia sign three bilateral conventions condemning the "anarchy" of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and imputing to the three powers "ancient and legitimate rights" to the territories of the Commonwealth. The conventions allow each of the three great powers to annex a part of the Commonwealth, which they proceed to do over the course of the following two months. Wikipedia →
1766An earthquake in the Sea of Marmara and Gallipoli (present-day Turkey) along the North Anatolian Fault kills at least 5,000 people. Wikipedia →
1763Pontiac's War: Battle of Bushy Run: British forces led by Henry Bouquet defeat Chief Pontiac's Indians at Bushy Run. Wikipedia →
1735Freedom of the press: New York Weekly Journal writer John Peter Zenger is acquitted of seditious libel against the royal governor of New York, on the basis that what he had published was true. Wikipedia →
1716Austro-Turkish War (1716–1718):The Austrians defeat the Ottomans in the Battle of Petrovaradin. One-fifth of a Turkish army and the Grand Vizier are killed. Wikipedia →
1689Beaver Wars: Fifteen hundred Iroquois attack Lachine in New France. Wikipedia →
1620The Mayflower departs from Southampton, England, carrying would-be settlers, on its first attempt to reach North America; it is forced to dock in Dartmouth when its companion ship, the Speedwell, springs a leak. Wikipedia →
1600The Gowrie Conspiracy against King James VI of Scotland (later to become King James I of England) takes place at Gowrie House (Perth, Scotland). Wikipedia →
1583Sir Humphrey Gilbert establishes the first English colony in North America, at what is now St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Wikipedia →
1506The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Crimean Khanate in the Battle of Kletsk. Wikipedia →
1460The Kingdom of Scotland captures Roxburgh, one of the last English strongholds in Scotland, following a siege. Wikipedia →
1388The Battle of Otterburn, a border skirmish between the Scottish and the English in Northern England, is fought near Otterburn. Wikipedia →
1305First Scottish War of Independence: Sir John Stewart of Menteith, the pro-English Sheriff of Dumbarton, successfully manages to capture Sir William Wallace of Scotland, leading to Wallace's subsequent execution by hanging, evisceration, drawing and quartering, and beheading 18 days later. Wikipedia →
1278Spanish Reconquista: the forces of the Kingdom of Castile initiate the ultimately futile Siege of Algeciras against the Emirate of Granada. Wikipedia →
1192Richard I of England defeats Saladin in the battle of Jaffa, which enables him to conclude a favourable treaty for the crusaders. Wikipedia →
1100Henry I is crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey. Wikipedia →
1068Byzantine–Norman wars: Italo-Normans begin a nearly-three-year siege of Bari. Wikipedia →
974Abbasid Caliph al-Muti' is forced to abdicate by his Turkic general Sabuktakin and succeeded by his son al-Ta'i'. Wikipedia →
939The Battle of Alhandic is fought between Ramiro II of León and Abd-ar-Rahman III at Zamora in the context of the Spanish Reconquista. The battle resulted in a victory for the Emirate of Córdoba. Wikipedia →
910The last major Danish army to raid England for nearly a century is defeated at the Battle of Tettenhall by the allied forces of Mercia and Wessex, led by King Edward the Elder and Æthelred, Lord of the Mercians. Wikipedia →
642Battle of Maserfield: Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Northumbria. Wikipedia →
70Fires resulting from the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem are extinguished. Wikipedia →
25Guangwu claims the throne as Emperor of China, restoring the Han dynasty after the collapse of the short-lived Xin dynasty. Wikipedia →

Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.