Osun Defender History Corner: March 5 In Focus

Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashbacks and recall some events that marked this day.

March 5, 1770

The Boston Massacre takes place, where British soldiers kill five colonists in Boston, Massachusetts, leading to increased tensions between Britain and its American colonies.

March 5, 1836

Samuel Colt receives the patent for his revolver, which revolutionized firearms technology.

March 5, 1872

George Westinghouse patents the air brake for trains, improving railway safety.

March 5, 1933

President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares a national bank holiday in the United States to address the banking crisis during the Great Depression.

March 5, 1946

Winston Churchill delivers his “Iron Curtain” speech in Fulton, Missouri, popularizing the term to describe the division of Europe during the Cold War.

March 5, 1953

Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin dies, leading to a period of uncertainty in the Soviet Union.

March 5, 1960

Elvis Presley is discharged from the U.S. Army after completing his military service.

March 5, 1966

The United States launches the Gemini 8 spacecraft, which performs the first successful docking with another spacecraft.

March 5, 1970

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty goes into effect, aiming to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

March 5, 1979

Voyager 1 spacecraft makes its closest approach to Jupiter, providing valuable data about the planet and its moons.

March 5, 1984

The U.S. accuses Libya of sponsoring terrorism, leading to economic sanctions against the country.

March 5, 1999

Paul Okalik becomes the first Premier of Nunavut, Canada, as the territory is officially established.

March 5, 2003

The International Criminal Court is established to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

March 5, 2004

Martha Stewart is found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and making false statements to federal investigators.

March 5, 2013

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez dies after battling cancer, leading to political uncertainty in the country.

March 5, 2018

The Salisbury poisoning occurs, where former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter are poisoned with a nerve agent in England, leading to international condemnation of Russia.

March 5, 2019

SpaceX Crew Dragon completes its first test flight, demonstrating its capability to transport astronauts to the International Space Station.

March 5, 2020

Italy becomes the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, leading to widespread lockdowns and travel restrictions.

March 5, 2021

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey airs, revealing tensions within the British royal family.

March 5, 2022

The Winter Paralympic Games open in Beijing, China, featuring athletes with disabilities competing in various winter sports.

Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on March 5. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.