Osun Defender History Corner: December 5 In Focus
Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.
December 5, 1492
Christopher Columbus becomes the first European to set foot on the island of Hispaniola.
December 5, 1496
Leonardo da Vinci unsuccessfully tests a flying machine.
December 5, 1776
Phi Beta Kappa, the first academic fraternity in the United States, is founded at the College of William and Mary in Virginia.
December 5, 1831
Former President John Quincy Adams takes his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the only ex-president to do so.
December 5, 1848
In a message to the United States Congress, President James K. Polk confirms the discovery of gold in California, leading to the California Gold Rush.
December 5, 1920
Prohibition takes effect in the United States, banning the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
December 5, 1933
The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, officially ending Prohibition.
December 5, 1933
Prohibition is repealed in the United States with the ratification of the 21st Amendment.
December 5, 1952
The Great Smog of London begins, lasting for several days and leading to significant environmental and health concerns.
December 5, 1955
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
December 5, 1955
The American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merge to form the AFL-CIO.
December 5, 1964
The first successful launch of a Saturn V rocket by NASA, a crucial step in the Apollo program.
December 5, 1978
The Soviet Union launches the spacecraft Venera 12, which later successfully lands on Venus.
December 5, 1989
The leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union, George H.W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev, declare the end of the Cold War during a summit meeting in Malta.
December 5, 1994
Russian President Boris Yeltsin orders Russian troops into Chechnya.
December 5, 2006
Commodore Frank Bainimarama overthrows the government in Fiji, establishing himself as the head of the military regime.
December 5, 2012
Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa, passes away at the age of 95.
December 5, 2013
The Chinese lunar rover, Chang’e 3, successfully lands on the Moon.
December 5, 2015
The Paris Agreement on climate change is adopted by 196 countries.
December 5, 2018
Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush passes away at the age of 94.
Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on December 5. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
