June 5

Scott Winters June 5, 2025 2 Comments

A quick look at Today in History, check out some Celebrity Birthdays, and find out what Days of the Year to celebrate.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1783 – In Annonay, France, a hot-air balloon flight was demonstrated to the public demonstration for the first time. Brothers Joseph and Jacques Montgolfier succeeded in launching their 33-foot-diameter balloon. The unmanned balloon rose an estimated 1,500 feet and traveled about 7,500 feet before landing after a 10-minute flight.

1794 – Congress prohibited citizens from serving in any foreign armed forces.

1817 – The first Great Lakes steamer, the Frontenac, was launched.

1851 – Harriet Beecher Stow published the first installment of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in “The National Era”.

1865 – The first safe deposit vault was opened in New York, NY. The charge was $1.50 a year for every $1,000 that was stored.

1866 – Doctors met in Detroit, MI, to organize the Michigan State Medical Society.

1917 – American men began registering for the World War I draft.

1924 – Ernst F. W. Alexanderson transmitted the first facsimile message across the Atlantic Ocean.

1927 – Johnny Weissmuller set two world records in swimming events. Weissmuller set marks in the 100-yard, and 200-yard, free-style swimming competition.

1933 – President Roosevelt signed the bill that took the U.S. off of the gold standard, nullifying the right of creditors to demand payment in gold.

1946 – The first medical sponges were first offered for sale in Detroit, MI.

1956 – Elvis Presley introduced his new single, “Hound Dog”, on “The Milton Berle Show”, shocking audiences with his suggestive hip movements.

1967 – The National Hockey League (NHL) awarded three new franchises: The Minnesota North Stars (later the Dallas Stars), the California Golden Seals (no longer in existence) and the Los Angeles Kings.

1968 – Robert F. Kennedy, a Presidential candidate, was shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, CA, by Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian. Kennedy died the next day.

1981 – In the U.S., the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that five men in Los Angeles were suffering from a rare pneumonia found in patients with weakened immune systems. They were the first recognized cases of what later became known as AIDS.

1987 – Ted Koppel and guests discussed the topic of AIDS for four hours on ABC-TV’s “Nightline”.

1987 – The movie “Harry and the Hendersons”, about a Seattle family’s encounter with Bigfoot, opened in theaters in the United States. It would later become a TV show which ran from 1991-1993.

1989 – The Toronto Sky Dome opened. The Blue Jays lost to Milwaukee 53.

1995 – The dating show “Singled Out” aired on MTV for the first time. Each episode featured a group of 50 men and a group of 50 women competing for a date with one main contestant of the opposite sex. The original hosts were Chris Hardwick and Jenny McCarthy. When McCarthy left the show in early 1997 to star in her own sitcom, “Jenny”, MTV hired Carmen Electra to replace her for the last season and a half. The show ended in 1998

1998 – A strike began at a General Motors Corp. parts factory in Flint, MI, that closed five other assembly plants and idled workers across the U.S. for seven weeks.

1998 – The movie “The Truman Show”, starring Jim Carrey, opened in theaters in the United States.

1998 – Volkswagen AG won approval to buy Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for $700 million, outbidding BMW’s $554 million offer.

2001 – Amazon.com announced that it would begin selling personal computers later in the year.

2002 – The Space Shuttle Endeavor was launched. The Shuttle would deliver a new crew to the International Space Station Alpha and bring the old space station crew back to Earth.

2004 – Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, died at age 93. He had long suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

2004 – The U.S.S. Jimmy Carter was christened in the U.S. Navy in Groton, CT.

BIRTHDAYS:

Bill Moyers – 91 a old (1934) – Broadcast journalist, White House Press Secretary for President Lyndon Johnson (1965-1967)

Gail Davies – 77 a old (1948) – Country singer

Suze Orman – 74 a old (1951) – TV personality, financial advisor

Nicko McBrain – 73 a old (1952) – Drummer (Iron Maiden)

Kenny G – 69 a old (1956) – Saxophonist

Richard Butler – 69 a old (1956) – Lead singer (Psychedelic Furs)

Karen Sillas – 62 a old (1963) – Actress (TV’s “Touched by an Angel”, “Promised Land”, “The Sopranos”)

Ron Livingston – 58 a old (1967) – Actor (“Band of Brothers,” “Office Space”, “The Conjuring”, “The Time Traveler’s Wife”, “The Cooler”, “Adaptation”, “Swingers”, TV’s “Sex and the City”, “The Practice”)

Brian McKnight – 56 a old (1969) – Singer

Mark Wahlberg – 54 a old (1971) – Actor, singer (Marky Mark, movies “The Departed”, both “Ted” movies, “Daddy’s Home”, “Transformers: Age of Extinction”, “Lone Survivor”, “2 Guns”, “Date Night”, “The Lovely Bones”, “Max Payne”, “Four Brothers”, “The Italian Job”, “Rock Star”, “The Perfect Storm”, “Three Kings”, “Boogie Nights”)

Chad Allen – 51 a old (1974) – Actor (TV’s “Our House”, “My Two Dads”, “Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman”)

TODAY IS:

Hot Air Balloon Day: Cross an item off your bucket list and sign up for a hot air balloon ride. Afraid of heights? Read or Watch “Around the World in 80 Days”, or go see a festival.
National Donut Day: Stop by Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’, wherever you get your donuts and grab a selection for friends, family, coworkers, and of course, yourself.
National Veggie Burger Day: Looking for a healthy alternative to traditional burgers? Try a plant-based patty that's packed with protein and bursting with flavor!
National Gingerbread Day: Indulge in the sweet and spicy goodness of a holiday treat that's perfect for any occasion, whether baked into cookies or made into a house!
World Environment Day: Join the fight against pollution, deforestation, climate change, melting ice caps and other threats to our environment and learn how you can help stop them.
National Fish and Chip Day: Go out and get some slightly (or very) greasy, tasty fish and chips. Even in America, the stereotypical UK meal has taken root, and can be found everywhere.
HIV Long-Term Survivors Day: Learn and raise awareness about HIV, a disease that once carried a short death sentence. Now, with proper treatment, HIV-positive people can live long, normal lives.
National Moonshine Day: Hit up your local liquor store and give moonshine a try. But be careful: the 100 Proof liquor is meant to be sipped slowly and consumed in moderation.
National Sausage Roll Day: Spiced sausage wrapped in a flaky, often buttery pastry is a delectable treat in the UK. For Americans, Sausage Roll Day is the perfect chance to try it.
National Lincoln Loud Day:
International Day For The Fight Against Illegal Unreported And Unregulated Fishing:
Biomedical Science Day:
World Thickshake Day:
National Start Over Day:
Random Acts of Cardness Day: Spreading unexpected joy, heartfelt messages leap from your hands, turning ordinary moments into cherished connections, one card at a time.
Vivid Sydney:
Rose Festival:
America The Beautiful Week:
Medicare Fraud Prevention Week: Securing healthcare integrity, ensuring resources reach those in need, and safeguarding against deceptive practices for a healthier community.
National CPR and AED Awareness Week:
RSPCA Week:
National Automotive Service Professional Week:
Stepparents Week:
National Patient Participation Week: