32 fun facts for September, 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
September 5th is a day filled with history, celebration, and social causes, from the International Day of Charity to various national observances worldwide. Notable events include the first Labor Day in 1882, the beginning of the first Continental Congress in 1774, and the formation of Google in 1998.
32 Fun facts
  1. In 1698, the Russian Tsar Peter the Great imposed a beard tax in a bid to modernize Russia and put it on par with Western Europe. This tax was levied on bearded men, except for clergy and peasantry, and they were given a token as proof of payment.
  2. On September 5, 1774, the first Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, bringing together delegates from 12 of the 13 American colonies. The Congress met to discuss their grievances against the British crown, eventually leading to the American Revolution.
  3. Proclaimed by the United Nations, September 5th is the International Day of Charity. This day commemorates the anniversary of the passing of Mother Teresa and aims to promote charity and raise awareness for issues afflicting the world.
  4. On September 5, 1836, Sam Houston was elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas, a position he held for two terms. Houston later became the Governor of Texas after it joined the United States in 1846.
  5. In 1852, Sarah J. Tompkins Garnet became the first African-American woman to become a school principal in the United States on this date. She was a trailblazer in education and served for 37 years in that capacity.
  6. On September 5, 1882, the first Labor Day was celebrated in the United States, initiated by the Central Labor Union in New York City. This day honors the contributions and achievements of workers and is now celebrated annually on the first Monday of September.
  7. In 1906, the first legal forward pass in American football history was thrown by Bradbury Robinson of St. Louis University on this day. This innovative play revolutionized the sport and paved the way for modern football.
  8. On September 5, 1914, the first electric traffic light was installed in Cleveland, Ohio. This innovation transformed road safety and traffic management in urban settings.
  9. In 1927, Gene Autry, the iconic cowboy actor and singer, made his debut appearance on September 5th. Autry starred in over 90 films and became a beloved symbol of the Wild West in Hollywood.
  10. September 5th marks Teachers' Day in India, a day to celebrate and honor teachers for their significant contributions to society. This date was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a prominent teacher, philosopher, and the second President of India.
  11. On September 5, 1939, baseball legend Lou Gehrig played his last game with the New York Yankees before retiring due to his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Gehrig's streak of playing in 2,130 consecutive games remains an iconic record in Major League Baseball.
  12. In 1946, Canadian singer and songwriter Freddie Mercury, best known as the lead vocalist of the British rock band Queen, was born. Mercury is regarded as one of the greatest singers and performers in the history of rock music, and his legacy continues to live on.
  13. On September 5, 1960, poet Léopold Sédar Senghor became the first president of Senegal, following the nation's independence from France. Senghor was also a key player in the Negritude literary movement and served as president until 1980.
  14. In 1969, on this day, the television show "The Brady Bunch" made its debut. The show featured a blended family and provided family-friendly entertainment, quickly becoming a pop culture icon and lasting for five seasons.
  15. On September 5, 1972, the U.S. broadcast rights for the 1976 Montreal Olympics were sold for a record $25 million. This sale demonstrated the growing commercial value of broadcasting sports events and set a precedent for future Olympic Games.
  16. In 1975, on this day, the rock band Aerosmith released their iconic album "Toys in the Attic." This album includes hits such as "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way" and remains one of the most successful rock albums in history.
  17. September 5th is Cheese Pizza Day, a day to celebrate the classic and simple version of one of the most popular dishes globally. It's a perfect excuse to indulge in a cheesy slice or prepare a homemade pizza.
  18. On September 5, 1984, the Space Shuttle Discovery completed its maiden voyage. Discovery was the third operational orbiter in NASA's Space Shuttle program and made its final flight in 2011.
  19. In 1991, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Estonia adopted its new constitution on September 5th, paving the way for its restored independence.
  20. On September 5, 1998, Google was officially incorporated as a company by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Today, Google is one of the most influential and prominent technology companies in the world.
  21. In 2001, Hewlett-Packard announced its acquisition of Compaq on September 5th, leading to significant changes in the computer industry and further establishing HP as a major player in the market.
  22. On September 5, 2005, the Venus Express space probe was launched by the European Space Agency. The probe conducted extensive research on Venus' atmosphere and weather and remained in orbit until 2014.
  23. September 5th is the National Day of Andorra, a small European country nestled in the Pyrenees mountains. The day celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Meritxell, the patron saint of Andorra, and unites the country in celebrating its rich history and culture.
  24. In 2012, researchers identified water ice on the surface of the planet Mercury on September 5th. This surprising discovery shed light on the formation and history of Mercury and provided valuable insights into the conditions on the planet closest to the sun.
  25. On September 5, 2015, Japan's Mount Ontake erupted without warning, causing the deadliest volcanic event in the country since 1926. This tragedy served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of volcanoes and the need for improved monitoring and safety measures.
  26. In 2017, on this day, Hurricane Irma made landfall in Barbuda as a Category 5 hurricane, causing unprecedented devastation and leaving 95% of the island's buildings damaged or destroyed.
  27. September 5th is observed as National Be Late For Something Day, an unconventional observance that encourages individuals to loosen up their schedules and take a break from the stresses of punctuality.
  28. On September 5, 2018, the popular e-commerce platform Etsy became carbon-neutral, offsetting 100% of its carbon emissions from shipping. This marked a significant milestone for the company in its commitment to sustainability.
  29. September 5th is the Day of Knowledge in Russia, celebrating the beginning of the new academic year. Many schools hold festivities, and it is a day to honor the importance of education in shaping the future.
  30. In 2019, on September 5th, Robert Mugabe, the former President of Zimbabwe and a key figure in the country's independence struggle, passed away at the age of 95.
  31. On September 5, 2020, the El Dorado Fire erupted in California due to a gender reveal party mishap. The fire resulted in extensive damage, burning over 22,000 acres and highlighting the importance of caution and responsibility in hosting such events.
  32. September 5th is marked as Father's Day in Australia and New Zealand, honoring the role of fathers and father figures in families and society. The day is celebrated with gifts, cards, and spending time together as a family.

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