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.
December 5
Events on This Day
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1932
81 years agoAlbert Einstein is granted a visa, allowing him to travel to the United States.
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1955
58 years agoMartin Luther King Jr. leads a 13-month boycott against Montgomery's bus system in protest of Rosa Parks’ arrest.
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1996
17 years agoPresident Bill Clinton appoints Madeleine Albright as the first female secretary of state.
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2000
13 years agoThe soundtrack to the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? is released, with production by T-Bone Burnett.
December 5
Born on This Day
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Walt Disney
- In these groups:
- Famous Irish-Americans
- Honorary Oscar Recipients
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
Walt Disney
Entrepreneur / 1901 - 1966
Walt Disney was an American motion-picture and television producer and showman, famous as a pioneer of cartoon films and as the creator of Disneyland.
Born: December 5, 1901
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Occupation: Entrepreneur -
Strom Thurmond
Strom Thurmond
U.S. Representative / 1902 - 2003
Strom Thurmond served as a U.S. senator for South Carolina from 1956 to 2003, during which time he switched from Democrat to Republican due to his opposition to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. He resigned from the Senate at age 100—becoming the oldest congressman in U.S. history.
1902 | 100 years old
U.S. Representative -
José Carreras
- In these groups:
- Hispanic Musicians and Singers
- Famous Sagittarians
- Famous Singers
José Carreras
Singer / 1946 -
Opera singer José Carreras is a leading tenor who has performed around the world. He helped popularize opera by performing as part of The Three Tenors.
1946 | 66 years old
Singer -
Little Richard
- In these groups:
- Musical Monikers
- Soul Train Guests
- Famous Sagittarians
Little Richard
Singer / 1932 -
Little Richard is a flamboyant American singer and pianist whose hit songs in the mid 1950s were defining moments in the development of rock ‘n’ roll.
Born: December 5, 1932
Age: 80 years old
Birthplace: Macon, Georgia, United States
Occupation: Singer -
George Custer
- In these groups:
- Wild West
- Famous Military Veterans
- Famous Sagittarians
George Custer
General / 1839 - 1876
George Custer was an American general who in 1876 led 210 men into battle at Little Bighorn against Native Americans. Custer and his men were killed.
1839 | 36 years old
General -
Martin Van Buren
- In these groups:
- Fantastic Facial Hair
- Political Party Crashers
- U.S. Presidents
Martin Van Buren
Governor, U.S. President, U.S. Vice President, U.S. Representative / 1782 - 1862
Martin Van Buren was the eighth president of the United States. His shrewd dealings laid the foundations for the Democratic Party and the modern political machine.
1782 | 79 years old
Governor, U.S. President, ...
December 5
Died on This Day
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Wolfgang Mozart
- In these groups:
- Famous Lefties
- Famous Aquarians
- Famous Pianists
Wolfgang Mozart
Songwriter, Pianist / 1756 - 1791
A prolific artist, Austrian composer Wolfgang Mozart created a string of operas, concertos, symphonies and sonatas that profoundly shaped classical music.
Died: December 5, 1791
Age: 35 years old
Place: Vienna , Austria
Occupation: Songwriter, Pianist -
Claude Monet
- In these groups:
- Impressionists Painters
- Famous Scorpios
- Famous Painters
Claude Monet
Painter / 1840 - 1926
Claude Monet was a famous French painter whose work gave a name to the art movement Impressionism which was concerned with capturing light and natural forms.
1926 | 86 years old
Painter -
Phillis Wheatley
- In these groups:
- Famous Black Writers
- Famous Poets
- Famous People Who Died on December 5
Phillis Wheatley
Poet / 1753 - 1784
In the late 18th century, slave poet Phillis Wheatley impressed everyone she met, proving to the world that the color of one's skin does not indicate one's intellect.
1784 | 31 years old
Poet
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profile name: Strom Thurmond profile occupation: U.S. Representative
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profile name: José Carreras profile occupation: Singer
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