25 fun facts for December, 5

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
December 5th is a date filled with historical events, notable birthdays, and international days such as the end of Prohibition in 1933, the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, and World Soil Day. Famous figures like Walt Disney and Mark Twain also share this day as their birthday.
25 Fun facts
  1. Prohibition ended in the United States on December 5, 1933 with the ratification of the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment, allowing alcohol to be legally manufactured and sold again after a 13-year ban.
  2. December 5th is World Soil Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the importance of soil as a crucial part of natural systems and as a vital contributor to human wellbeing.
  3. On this day in 1955, Martin Luther King Jr. helped lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a seminal event in the American Civil Rights Movement that lasted over a year and resulted in the end of racial segregation on public buses.
  4. December 5th is the birthday of famous American artist and filmmaker, Walt Disney. He was born on this day in 1901, and is known for creating iconic characters like Mickey Mouse, and founding Disneyland and Disney World.
  5. On December 5, 2013, the world mourned the passing of Nelson Mandela, South African President and anti-apartheid revolutionary who spent 27 years in prison before becoming the first Black head of state in South Africa.
  6. December 5 is International Volunteer Day, established by the United Nations to celebrate the contributions of volunteers to peace and development across the globe.
  7. The Thailand National Day is also celebrated on December 5, which is the birthday of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned from 1946 until his death in 2016.
  8. On this day in 1952, The Great Smog descended upon London, which killed several thousand people and prompted major changes in air pollution policies in the United Kingdom.
  9. The first black congressman, John Willis Menard, addressed the United States House of Representatives on December 5, 1868. He spoke in defense of his contested election from Louisiana and while not formally seated, made his mark in history.
  10. On December 5, 1945, the mysterious disappearance of Flight 19 occurred in the Bermuda Triangle, consisting of five US Navy Avenger torpedo bombers.
  11. The Washington Monument was completed on December 5, 1884, becoming a towering American symbol and the tallest stone structure in the world at the time.
  12. Haiti celebrates Discovery Day on December 5, commemorating Christopher Columbus’ arrival on the island in 1492, and recognizing the country’s complex history and cultural heritage.
  13. On December 5, 1851, German inventor and designer, Carl Wagner, patented the accordion, a popular musical instrument used in traditional music all over the world.
  14. The first ever SMS text message was sent on December 5, 1992, by British engineer Neil Papworth, containing the simple and festive message, "Merry Christmas."
  15. The Ukrainian Parliament elected Viktor Yushchenko the President of Ukraine on December 5, 2004, following the Orange Revolution protests against electoral fraud in the November runoff vote.
  16. December 5, 1908, marked the invention of the first synthetic plastic, Bakelite. Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland announced his creation at a meeting of the New York section of the American Chemical Society.
  17. Famed psychiatrist Sigmund Freud published his groundbreaking work "The Interpretation of Dreams" on December 5, 1899, which delved into the psychological significance of dreams.
  18. American author Mark Twain was born on December 5, 1835. Notable for his works "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," Twain is often referred to as the father of American literature.
  19. The first operating windshield wipers were patented on December 5, 1905, by Mary Anderson, transforming the future of automobile safety measures.
  20. On December 5, 1967, the Beatles opened the Apple Boutique, a place where the public could buy clothing and Apple products designed by the artists themselves and others in London.
  21. The first US Warship to enter Tokyo Bay, USS Missouri, was launched on December 5, 1943, later becoming one of the most decorated warships of World War II.
  22. December 5 is Collaborative Innovation Day, an event held on the anniversary of the 1955 founding of The Creative Education Foundation, celebrating the importance of shared creativity and innovation.
  23. December 5, 2014, marked the release of "Sonic Highways" by American rock band Foo Fighters. This album was accompanied by an eight-episode documentary series of the same name, directed by lead singer/guitarist Dave Grohl.
  24. In 1963, Kenya officially became a republic; exactly one year later, on December 5, 1964, Jomo Kenyatta became the first President of Kenya after previously serving as Prime Minister since independence.
  25. On December 5, 1916, the legendary houdini performed his "Chinese Water Torture Cell" trick for the first time, suspending himself upside down in a glass tank filled with water while making an astonishing escape.

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