Discover · History

On this day — May 5

A hand-curated thread of what happened on this date, across centuries.

Observed today

Cinco de Mayo

Commemorates Mexico's 1862 victory at the Battle of Puebla. A regional observance in Mexico, a much louder party in the US than it ever was south of the border.

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2023

Milestone

The World Health Organization declares the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as a global health emergency.

2010

Milestone

Mass protests in Greece erupt in response to austerity measures imposed by the government as a result of the Greek government-debt crisis.

2007

Disaster

Kenya Airways Flight 507 crashes after takeoff from Douala International Airport in Douala

Cameroon, killing all 114 aboard, making it the deadliest aircraft disaster in Cameroon.

2006

Milestone

The government of Sudan signs an accord with the Sudan Liberation Army.

1994

Milestone

The signing of the Bishkek Protocol between Armenia and Azerbaijan effectively freezes the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

1994

Milestone

American teenager Michael P

Fay is caned in Singapore for theft and vandalism.

1991

Milestone

A riot breaks out in the Mt

Pleasant section of Washington, D.C. after police shoot a Salvadoran man.

1987

Milestone

Iran–Contra affair

Start of Congressional televised hearings in the United States.

1985

Milestone

Ronald Reagan visits the military cemetery at Bitburg and the site of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp

where he makes a speech.

1981

Milestone

Bobby Sands dies in the Long Kesh prison hospital after 66 days of hunger-striking

aged 27.

1980

Milestone

Operation Nimrod

The British Special Air Service storms the Iranian embassy in London after a six-day siege.

1973

Milestone

Secretariat wins the 1973 Kentucky Derby in 1:59.4

an as-yet-unbeaten record.

1972

Disaster

Alitalia Flight 112 crashes into Mount Longa near Palermo

Sicily, killing all 115 aboard, making it the deadliest single-aircraft disaster in Italy.

1964

Milestone

The Council of Europe declares May 5 as Europe Day.

1961

Milestone

Project Mercury

Alan Shepard becomes the first American to travel into outer space, on a sub-orbital flight.