Discover what happened on June 5 in history, along with notable events that shaped medicine, entertainment, politics, and space exploration.
What Happened on June 5 in History?
Important events on this day include Elvis Presley introducing “Hound Dog” on national television, the first recognized cases of AIDS being reported by the CDC, Robert F. Kennedy being shot in Los Angeles, and the death of former President Ronald Reagan.
JUNE 5 – 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.
2024 – The Boeing Starliner was launched on its first crewed flight , carrying astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams to the International Space Station.
2025 – The Nintendo Switch 2 video game console was released worldwide.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JUNE 5:
Whitfield Diffie – 82 years old (1944) – Cryptographer and academic
John Carlos – 81 years old (1945) – Runner and football player
André Lacroix – 81 years old (1945) – Canadian-American ice hockey player and coach
Laurie Anderson – 79 years old (1947) – Singer-songwriter and violinist
Freddie Stone – 79 years old (1947) – Singer, guitarist, and pastor
Suze Orman – 75 years old (1951) – Financial adviser, author, and television host
Kathleen Kennedy – 73 years old (1953) – Film producer, co-founded Amblin Entertainment
Nancy Stafford – 72 years old (1954) – Model and actress
Kenny G – 70 years old (1956) – Saxophonist, songwriter, and producer
Jeff Garlin – 64 years old (1962) – Actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter
Lisa Cholodenko – 62 years old (1964) – Director and screenwriter
Rick Riordan – 62 years old (1964) – Author
Michael E. Brown – 61 years old (1965) – Astronomer and author
Alfie Turcotte – 61 years old (1965) – Ice hockey player
Joe DeLoach – 59 years old (1967) – Sprinter
Ron Livingston – 59 years old (1967) – Actor
Brian McKnight – 57 years old (1969) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and actor
Alex Mooney – 55 years old (1971) – Politician
Mark Wahlberg – 55 years old (1971) – Model, actor, producer, and rapper
Lamon Brewster – 53 years old (1973) – Boxer
Russ Ortiz – 52 years old (1974) – Baseball player
Zydrunas Ilgauskas – 51 years old (1975) – Lithuanian-American basketball player
Joe Gatto – 50 years old (1976) – Comedian
Torry Holt – 50 years old (1976) – Football player
Liza Weil – 49 years old (1977) – Actress
Nick Kroll – 48 years old (1978) – Actor and comedian
Pete Wentz – 47 years old (1979) – Singer-songwriter, bass player, actor, and fashion designer
Jason White – 47 years old (1979) – Race car driver
Marques Colston – 43 years old (1983) – Football player
Jeremy Abbott – 41 years old (1985) – Figure skater
Vernon Gholston – 40 years old (1986) – Football player
Marcus Thornton – 39 years old (1987) – Basketball player
Cam Atkinson – 37 years old (1989) – Ice hockey player
Ninja – 35 years old (1991) – Professional gamer
Sam Darnold – 29 years old (1997) – Football player
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JUNE 5:
- 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.
- 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 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!
- 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.
- 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 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!
- 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.
- Wine Days Festival in Armenia: The Wine Days Festival in Armenia is a lively celebration of the country's rich wine culture centered in the heart of Yerevan. For a few days, the city's streets buzz with excitement as local and international visitors gather to enjoy over 500 varieties of wine from Armenia's top producers. How to...
- 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 Start Over Day: National Start Over Day is a chance to wipe the slate clean and begin again. Life throws challenges at everyone, and sometimes, the best thing to do is start fresh. Whether moving on from a mistake, chasing a dream, or simply shifting focus, this day encourages people to embrace new...
- 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.
- Medicare Fraud Prevention Week: Securing healthcare integrity, ensuring resources reach those in need, and safeguarding against deceptive practices for a healthier community.
- America The Beautiful Week: America The Beautiful Week lights up the first week of June. It's a special time to appreciate the song "America the Beautiful" and to honor the love for the country. This week encourages us to reflect on the natural beauty and patriotic spirit that defines America! How to Celebrate America...
- National CPR and AED Awareness Week: Have you ever needed to use CPR or an AED in an emergency? National CPR and AED Awareness Week, celebrated during this time in early June, shines a spotlight on the importance of these life-saving skills. This special week is all about educating people on how to respond to a cardiac...
- National Lincoln Loud Day: National Lincoln Loud Day celebrates the spirited boy at the heart of Nickelodeon's animated series, The Loud House. Lincoln Loud, the only son among ten sisters, navigates the chaos of his bustling household with creativity and humor. His adventures, often filled with mischief and heartfelt moments, have endeared him to audiences...
- Canadian Environment Week: Canadian Environment Week is a lively celebration highlighting Canada's commitment to the environment. This special event invites everyone to appreciate nature, raise awareness, and take action to protect the planet. This week coincides with global events like World Environment Day and Clean Air Day, making it a perfect time for...
- International Day For The Fight Against Illegal Unreported And Unregulated Fishing: Oceans feed millions, power economies, and balance the planet’s climate. But illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing threatens it all. These harmful practices ignore the rules, cheat honest fishers, and strip marine ecosystems bare. Massive fishing vessels slip through loopholes, leaving behind empty waters and broken communities. Entire food chains suffer...
- World Thickshake Day: World ThickShake Day is a perfect moment for families, friends, and thickshake lovers around the world to come together and enjoy the richness of this beloved beverage. How to Celebrate World ThickShake Day Get excited about the joy, memories and togetherness that can be shared on this day over thick shakes! Check...
- Biomedical Science Day: Each year on this important day, the Institute of Biomedical Scientists brings a wide range of people together to showcase laboratories, share their breakthroughs, and spread awareness about this essential professional role which is right at the center of healthcare! Biomedical Science Day recognizes and promotes this profession that is...
- British Tomato Fortnight: British Tomato Fortnight is an exciting time that celebrates the peak season for homegrown tomatoes in the UK. This event highlights the wonderful flavors and health benefits of British tomatoes, encouraging everyone to enjoy this versatile fruit in various dishes! How to Celebrate British Tomato Fortnight Host a Tomato Tasting...
- Stepparents Week: Stepparents Week is a special time to honor those who step into the role of parenthood with open hearts. Celebrated anually, this event recognizes the vital contributions of stepmoms and stepdads. It's all about the love, guidance, and care they provide to children, who are not their own by birth...
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