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Prohibition is repealed in the United States with the ratification of the 21st Amendment.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.