On This Day
What Happened on December 5 in History
9 events that happened on December 5, oldest first. Every entry is written in our own words and links to its source.
Colonial America and the Revolution
1776
Students at the College of William and Mary found the Phi Beta Kappa society in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Five students met at the Raleigh Tavern to create the society, which began as a fraternity devoted to learning and lively political debate. It later became a leading academic honor society.
Source: history.com
The Young Republic and the Civil War Era
1848
President James K. Polk confirms to Congress that gold has been found in California.
In his final annual message, Polk said reports of abundant gold were backed by military officers who had visited the mining district. His words helped turn the California discoveries into a national rush.
Source: millercenter.org
1876
Fire sweeps through the Brooklyn Theatre during a performance, killing nearly 300 people.
All 900 seats were filled for a performance of The Two Orphans when the fire broke out. Some victims died from burns and smoke, while others were trampled in the panic to escape.
Source: history.com
The Early 1900s and the World Wars
1933
The 21st Amendment is ratified, ending national Prohibition in the United States.
Utah became the 36th state to approve the amendment, providing the three-fourths majority needed to repeal the 18th Amendment. Pennsylvania and Ohio had ratified it earlier the same day.
Source: history.com; constitutioncenter.org
1945
Five Navy Avenger bombers known as Flight 19 vanish on a training mission off Florida.
The planes took off from Fort Lauderdale Naval Air Station on a routine flight and never returned. A Mariner flying boat sent to search for them also disappeared, feeding the legend of the Bermuda Triangle.
Source: history.com
The Cold War
1952
A deadly smog settles over London and lingers for five days.
Cold, still air trapped smoke, soot and sulfur dioxide from coal fires, industry and traffic over the city. The smog caused at least 4,000 deaths.
Source: history.com
1955
Black residents of Montgomery, Alabama, begin a boycott of the city's segregated buses.
The protest began four days after Rosa Parks was arrested and was led by the young minister Martin Luther King Jr. It lasted more than a year, ending after the buses were desegregated.
Source: history.com
The Modern Era
2001
Space Shuttle Endeavour launches to carry a new crew to the International Space Station.
The STS-108 mission delivered the Expedition Four crew to the station and brought the Expedition Three crew home.
Source: nasa.gov
2014
NASA's Orion spacecraft makes its first flight, an uncrewed test in Earth orbit.
A Delta IV Heavy rocket launched the capsule from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and the capsule splashed down later the same day.
Source: nasa.gov