What Happened on December 5?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 5
Explore the most important historical events that happened on December 5, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
Year:
1895
New Haven Symphony Orchestra of Connecticut performs its first concert.
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Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
Year:
1914
The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition began in an attempt to make the first land crossing of Antarctica.
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Chincha Islands War
Year:
1865
Chincha Islands War: Peru allies with Chile against Spain.
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California gold rush
Year:
1848
California Gold Rush: In a message to the United States Congress, U.S. President James K. Polk confirms that large amounts of gold had been discovered in California.
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Jefferson Davis
Year:
1847
Jefferson Davis is elected to the U.S. Senate.
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Ukrainian War of Independence
Year:
1919
Ukrainian War of Independence: The Polonsky conspiracy is suppressed and its participants are executed by the Kontrrazvedka.
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The Football Association
Year:
1921
The Football Association bans women's football in England from league grounds, a ban that stays in place for 50 years.
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International Olympic Committee
Year:
2017
The International Olympic Committee bans Russia from competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics for doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
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BIRTHS ON DECEMBER 5
Discover famous people and historical figures born on December 5, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Don Robertson (songwriter)
Year of birth:
1922
Don Robertson, American songwriter and pianist (died 2015)
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Robert Sobukwe
Year of birth:
1924
Robert Sobukwe, South African banker and politician (died 1978)
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Alvy Moore
Year of birth:
1921
Alvy Moore, American actor and producer (died 1997)
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Alun Gwynne Jones, Baron Chalfont
Year of birth:
1919
Alun Gwynne Jones, Baron Chalfont, English historian and politician (died 2020)
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Ken Downing
Year of birth:
1917
Ken Downing, English racing driver (died 2004)
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Anastasio Somoza Debayle
Year of birth:
1925
Anastasio Somoza Debayle, Nicaraguan politician, 73rd President of Nicaragua (died 1980)
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W. D. Amaradeva
Year of birth:
1927
W.D. Amaradeva, Sri Lankan musician and composer (died 2016)
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Nadira (Indian actress)
Year of birth:
1932
Nadira, Indian actress (died 2006)
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DEATHS ON DECEMBER 5
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on December 5, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Fred Clark
Year of death:
1968
Fred Clark, American actor (born 1914)
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Princess Alice of Battenberg
Year of death:
1969
Princess Alice of Battenberg (born 1885)
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Claude Dornier
Year of death:
1969
Claude Dornier, German engineer and businessman, founded Dornier Flugzeugwerke (born 1884)
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Robert Watson-Watt
Year of death:
1973
Robert Watson-Watt, Scottish engineer, invented the radar (born 1892)
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Joseph Erlanger
Year of death:
1965
Joseph Erlanger, American physiologist, neuroscientist, and academic Nobel Prize laureate (born 1874)
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Francis II of France
Year of death:
1560
Francis II of France (born 1544)
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Glenn L. Martin
Year of death:
1955
Glenn L. Martin, American pilot and businessman, founded the Glenn L. Martin Company (born 1886)
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Emil Fuchs (baseball)
Year of death:
1961
Emil Fuchs, German-American lawyer and businessman (born 1878)
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HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 5
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on December 5 around the world.
Children's Day
Children's Day (Suriname)
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Clement of Alexandria
Christian feast day: Clement of Alexandria (Episcopal Church)
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Days of Military Honour
Day of Military Honour - Battle of Moscow (Russia)
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International Volunteer Day
International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development
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Krampus
Saint Nicholas' Eve (Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Hungary, Romania, Germany, Poland and the UK) Krampusnacht (Austria)
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Sabbas the Sanctified
Christian feast day: Sabbas the Sanctified
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December 5 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: December 5 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Dalmatius of Pavia
Christian feast day: Dalmatius of Pavia
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