Prince William
Famous Astronauts
Nelson Mandela
Kanye West
My Ghost Story
I Survived
Liberace
Leonardo DiCaprio
Annie Oakley
I Survived
On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
August 5
Events on This Day
-
1861
152 years ago
Short on the cash needed to fund the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln imposes the country's first federal income tax.
-
1957
56 years ago
Dick Clark makes his debut as host of the music variety show American Bandstand, which broadcasts nationally for the first time.
-
1962
51 years ago
Nelson Mandela is arrested in South Africa for anti-apartheid activities. He remains in prison for more than 30 years.
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1963
50 years ago
Risky Business opens in theaters, catapulting Tom Cruise to film fame as he dances in a dress shirt and underwear to Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll.”
August 5
Born on This Day
-
Neil Armstrong
- In these groups:
- Eagle Scouts
- Famous Lefties
- Famous Leos
Neil Armstrong
Astronaut, Explorer, Pilot / 1930 - 2012
Astronaut, military pilot, and educator, Neil Armstrong made history on July 20, 1969, by becoming the first man to walk on the moon.
Born: August 5, 1930
Birthplace: Wapakoneta, Ohio, United States
Occupation: Astronaut, Explorer, Pilot -
Raquel Welch
- In these groups:
- USO Entertainers
- Primetime Soap Stars
- Famous Virgoans
Raquel Welch
Film Actress, Television Actress, Pin-up / 1940 -
Actress Raquel Welch was launched as a cinematic sex symbol in One Million Years BC (1966) and continues to be regarded as one of the world's great beauties.
1940 | 72 years old
Film Actress, Television Actress, ... -
John HustonJohn Huston
Film Actor, Director / 1906 - 1987
American motion-picture director whose taut dramas, including The Maltese Falcon, were some of the most popular films from the 1940s on.
1906 | 81 years old
Film Actor, Director -
Adam Yauch
- In these groups:
- The Beastie Boys
- Famous Leos
- Famous Rappers
Adam Yauch
Rapper / 1964 - 2012
Adam Yauch (aka MCA) was a co-founder and member of the Beastie Boys, the popular rap group.
Born: August 5, 1964
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Occupation: Rapper -
Loni Anderson
- In these groups:
- Marilyn Mimics
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actresses
Loni Anderson
Film Actress, Television Actress, Pin-up / 1946 -
Loni Anderson is a TV actress notable for her sexy role as Jennifer Marlowe on the series WKRP in Cincinnati.
1946 | 66 years old
Film Actress, Television Actress, ... -
Tawny Kitaen
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actresses
- Famous Models
Tawny Kitaen
Actress, Pin-up / 1961 -
Tawny Kitaen is best known for appearing in music videos in the 1980s, including Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again" video. She later starred on reality televison series like The Surreal Life and Celebrity Rehab.
1961 | 51 years old
Actress, Pin-up
August 5
Died on This Day
-
Marilyn Monroe
- In these groups:
- Pucker Uppers
- Numerous Nuptials
- USO Entertainers
Marilyn Monroe
Film Actress, Pin-up / 1926 - 1962
Actress Marilyn Monroe overcame a difficult childhood to become of the world's biggest and most enduring sex symbols. She died of a drug overdose in 1962.
Died: August 5, 1962
Age: 36 years old
Place: Los Angeles, California , United States
Occupation: Film Actress, Pin-up -
Alec Guinness
- In these groups:
- Best Actor Oscar Winners
- Honorary Oscar Recipients
- Famous Arians
Alec Guinness
Film Actor, Television Actor, Screenwriter / 1914 - 2000
Alec Guinness is an Oscar-winning British actor known for his roles in films like Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago and Star Wars.
2000 | 86 years old
Film Actor, Television Actor, ... -
Susan Butcher
- In these groups:
- Daring Female Adventurers
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous People Named Susan
Susan Butcher
Athlete / 1954 - 2006
Susan Butcher was a champion American dog musher and four-time winner of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
2006 | 51 years old
Athlete -
Richard BurtonRichard Burton
Film Actor / 1925 - 1984
Richard Burton was a highly regarded Welsh actor of stage and screen. He earned seven Oscar nominations and was married twice to actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Died: August 5, 1984
Age: 58 years old
Place: Céligny , Switzerland
Occupation: Film Actor -
Peter Minuit
- In these groups:
- Famous People Who Died in Accidents
- Famous Explorers
- Famous People Named Peter
Peter Minuit
Explorer / 1580 - 1638
Peter Minuit was a Dutch colonial governor of New Amsterdam who is best known for purchasing Manhattan Island from the Indians for 60 Dutch guilders.
1638 | 58 years old
Explorer
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Play Nowprofile name: Neil Armstrong profile occupation: Astronaut, Explorer, Pilot
profile id: 9527086
profile name: Raquel Welch profile occupation: Film Actress, Television Actress, ...
profile id: 9348018
profile name: John Huston profile occupation: Film Actor, Director
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profile name: Adam Yauch profile occupation: Rapper
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profile name: Loni Anderson profile occupation: Film Actress, Television Actress, ...
profile id: 17180932
profile name: Tawny Kitaen profile occupation: Actress, Pin-up
profile id: 9412123
profile name: Marilyn Monroe profile occupation: Film Actress, Pin-up
profile id: 9323177
profile name: Alec Guinness profile occupation: Film Actor, Television Actor, ...
profile id: 222295
profile name: Susan Butcher profile occupation: Athlete
profile id: 9232503
profile name: Richard Burton profile occupation: Film Actor
profile id: 9409851
profile name: Peter Minuit profile occupation: Explorer
profile id: 9382540
profile name: Abraham Lincoln profile occupation: U.S. Representative
profile id: 9249296
profile name: Dick Clark profile occupation: Television Personality
profile id: 9397017
profile name: Nelson Mandela profile occupation: Civil Rights Activist
profile id: 9262645
profile name: Tom Cruise profile occupation: Film Actor
profile id: 40056
profile name: Harry Houdini profile occupation: Magician
profile id: 9355335
profile name: Elton John profile occupation: Songwriter
profile id: 9392321
profile name: Mark McGwire profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 20660183
profile name: Casey Anthony profile occupation:
profile id: 38514
profile name: Edith Roosevelt profile occupation: U.S. First Lady
profile id: 39122
profile name: Alan Keyes profile occupation: Diplomat
profile id: 38727
profile name: Arthur J. Goldberg profile occupation: Diplomat
profile id: 5444
profile name: Kurtis Blow profile occupation: Minister
Your Connections
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Upcoming Birthdays
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Edith Roosevelt
- In these groups:
- Influential Women of Washington
- U.S. First Ladies
- Famous Leos
Edith Roosevelt
U.S. First Lady / 1861 - 1948
Edith Roosevelt established the modern role of First Lady and oversaw the building of the West Wing of the White House while her husband Teddy ran the country.
August 6, 1861
U.S. First Lady -
Alan Keyes
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous People Named Alan
- Famous Radio Talk Show Hosts
Alan Keyes
Diplomat, Radio Talk Show Host / 1950 -
Diplomat, radio commentator, and politician Alan Keyes was one of the most prominent African American conservatives in the late 20th and the early 21st century.
August 7, 1950
Diplomat -
Arthur J. Goldberg
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Supreme Court Justices
- Famous People Named Arthur
Arthur J. Goldberg
Supreme Court Justice, Diplomat / 1908 - 1990
In the 1960s, Arthur J. Goldberg held many important government posts, serving as secretary of labor, a Supreme Court justice and ambassador to the United Nations.
August 8, 1908
Diplomat -
Kurtis Blow
- In these groups:
- Soul Train Guests
- Famous Leos
- Famous Rappers
Kurtis Blow
Music Producer, Rapper, Minister / 1959 -
In 1979, Kurtis Blow signed a deal with Mercury Records, making him the first rapper signed by a major label. His first album sold more than 400,000 copies.
August 9, 1959
Minister
Famous Leos
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Paul Anka
- In these groups:
- Famous Celebrity Couples
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
- Famous Leos
Paul Anka
Film Actor, Television Actor, Songwriter, Guitarist, Pianist, Singer / 1941 -
One of the biggest classic pop performers, Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka moved from teen heartthrob to adult artist with a slew of hits.
July 30, 1941
Film Actor, Television Actor, Songwriter, Guitarist, Pianist, Singer -
William Atherton
- In these groups:
- Famous Leos
- Famous Actors
- Famous Film Actors
William Atherton
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor / 1947 -
William Atherton is an American actor known for playing heavies in films like Ghostbusters and Die Hard.
July 30, 1947
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor
