What Happened on August 5?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON AUGUST 5
Explore the most important historical events that happened on August 5, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Charles XV
Year:
1860
Charles XV of Sweden–Norway is crowned king of Norway in Trondheim.
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United States Army
Year:
1861
The United States Army abolishes flogging.
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American Civil War
Year:
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United States government levies the first income tax as part of the Revenue Act of 1861 (3% of all incomes over US$800; rescinded in 1872).
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Cyrus W. Field
Year:
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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Greek War of Independence
Year:
1824
Greek War of Independence: Konstantinos Kanaris leads a Greek fleet to victory against Ottoman and Egyptian naval forces in the Battle of Samos.
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Battle of Castiglione
Year:
1796
The Battle of Castiglione in Napoleon's first Italian campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars results in a French victory.
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Francis Ronalds
Year:
1816
The British Admiralty dismisses Francis Ronalds's new invention of the first working electric telegraph as "wholly unnecessary", preferring to continue using the semaphore.
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Battle of Baton Rouge (1862)
Year:
1862
American 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.
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BIRTHS ON AUGUST 5
Discover famous people and historical figures born on August 5, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Joe Boyd
Year of birth:
1942
Joe Boyd, American record producer, founded Hannibal Records
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Sammi Smith
Year of birth:
1943
Sammi Smith, American country music singer-songwriter (died 2005)
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Bob Clark
Year of birth:
1941
Bob Clark, American director, producer, and screenwriter (died 2007)
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Leonid Kizim
Year of birth:
1941
Leonid Kizim, Ukrainian general, pilot, and astronaut (died 2010)
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Airto Moreira
Year of birth:
1941
Airto Moreira, Brazilian-American drummer and composer
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Nelson Briles
Year of birth:
1943
Nelson Briles, American baseball player (died 2005)
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Christopher Gunning
Year of birth:
1944
Christopher Gunning, English composer (died 2023)
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Bob McCarthy
Year of birth:
1946
Bob McCarthy, Australian rugby league player and coach
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DEATHS ON AUGUST 5
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on August 5, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Montagu Toller
Year of death:
1948
Montagu Toller, English cricketer and lawyer (born 1871)
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Wilhelm Marx
Year of death:
1946
Wilhelm Marx, German lawyer and politician, 17th Chancellor of Germany (born 1863)
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Sameera Moussa
Year of death:
1952
Sameera Moussa, Egyptian physicist and academic (born 1917)
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Carmen Miranda
Year of death:
1955
Carmen Miranda, Portuguese-Brazilian actress and singer (born 1909)
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Heinrich Otto Wieland
Year of death:
1957
Heinrich Otto Wieland, German chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1877)
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Maurice Turnbull
Year of death:
1944
Maurice Turnbull, Welsh cricketer and rugby player (born 1906)
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Béla Jankovich
Year of death:
1939
Béla Jankovich, Hungarian economist and politician, Minister of Education of Hungary (born 1865)
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Dimitrios Rallis
Year of death:
1921
Dimitrios Rallis, Greek lawyer and politician, 78th Prime Minister of Greece (born 1844)
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HOLIDAYS ON AUGUST 5
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on August 5 around the world.
Saint Memmius
Christian feast day: Memnius
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July Mass Uprising Day
July Mass Uprising Day (Bangladesh)
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Oswald of Northumbria
Christian feast day: Oswald of Northumbria
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August 5 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: August 5 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Abel of Reims
Christian feast day: Abel of Reims
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Emygdius
Christian feast day: Emygdius
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Addai of Edessa
Christian feast day: Addai
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Saint Afra
Christian feast day: Afra
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