Summary of the Day ✨ 5 May (05/05)
The World Health Organization declared the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as a global health emergency while massive protests erupted in Greece against austerity measures. In a day of contrasting events, Kenya Airways Flight 507 crashed in Cameroon killing all 114 aboard, Sudan signed a peace accord with rebels, and Armenia and Azerbaijan froze the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Historical Events 📜
- 2023: The World Health Organization declares the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as a global health emergency.
- 2010: Mass protests in Greece erupt in response to austerity measures imposed by the government as a result of the Greek government-debt crisis.
- 2007: Kenya Airways Flight 507 crashes after takeoff from Douala International Airport in Douala, Cameroon, killing all 114 aboard, making it the deadliest aircraft disaster in Cameroon.
- 2006: The government of Sudan signs an accord with the Sudan Liberation Army.
- 1994: The signing of the Bishkek Protocol between Armenia and Azerbaijan effectively freezes the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
- 1994: American teenager Michael P. Fay is caned in Singapore for theft and vandalism.
- 1991: A riot breaks out in the Mt. Pleasant section of Washington, D.C. after police shoot a Salvadoran man.
- 1987: Iran–Contra affair: Start of Congressional televised hearings in the United States.
- 1985: Ronald Reagan visits the military cemetery at Bitburg and the site of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where he makes a speech.
- 1981: Bobby Sands dies in the Long Kesh prison hospital after 66 days of hunger-striking, aged 27.
- 1980: Operation Nimrod: The British Special Air Service storms the Iranian embassy in London after a six-day siege.
- 1973: Secretariat wins the 1973 Kentucky Derby in 1:59.4, an as-yet-unbeaten record.
- 1972: Alitalia Flight 112 crashes into Mount Longa near Palermo, Sicily, killing all 115 aboard, making it the deadliest single-aircraft disaster in Italy.
- 1964: The Council of Europe declares May 5 as Europe Day.
- 1961: Project Mercury: Alan Shepard becomes the first American to travel into outer space, on a sub-orbital flight.
Famous Births 👶
- 2004: Jenna Davis, American actress and YouTuber
- 2004: Kirsty Muir, Scottish freestyle skier
- 2003: Carlos Alcaraz, Spanish tennis player
- 1999: Nathan Chen, American figure skater
- 1999: Justin Kluivert, Dutch footballer
- 1998: Aryna Sabalenka, Belarusian tennis player
- 1997: Logan Gilbert, American baseball player
- 1997: Mitch Marner, Canadian hockey player
- 1996: Christopher Eubanks, American tennis player
- 1996: Mayar Sherif, Egyptian tennis player
- 1995: James Conner, American football player
- 1994: Celeste, British singer
- 1991: Raúl Jiménez, Mexican footballer
- 1989: Chris Brown, American singer-songwriter, dancer, and actor
- 1989: Agnes Knochenhauer, Swedish curler
Notable Deaths 🕊️
- 2024: Jeannie Epper, American stuntwoman and actress (born 1941)
- 2024: Bernard Hill, English actor (born 1944)
- 2024: César Luis Menotti, Argentine footballer and manager (born 1938)
- 2020: Millie Small, Jamaican singer-songwriter (born 1947)
- 2017: Binyamin Elon, Israeli Orthodox rabbi and politician (born 1954)
- 2017: Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, Mauritanian politician (born 1953)
- 2015: Jobst Brandt, American cyclist, engineer, and author (born 1935)
- 2015: Hans Jansen, Dutch linguist, academic, and politician (born 1942)
- 2014: Michael Otedola, Nigerian journalist and politician, 9th Governor of Lagos State (born 1926)
- 2013: Sarah Kirsch, German poet and author (born 1935)
- 2013: Robert Ressler, American FBI agent and author (born 1937)
- 2012: Surendranath, Indian cricketer (born 1937)
- 2012: Carl Johan Bernadotte, Count of Wisborg (born 1916)
- 2012: Aatos Erkko, Finnish journalist and publisher (born 1932)
- 2012: George Knobel, Dutch footballer, coach, and manager (born 1922)
Holidays & Observances 🎉
- Children’s Day (Japan, South Korea)
- Christian feast day:
Angelus of Jerusalem - Christian feast day:
Aventinus of Tours - Christian feast day:
Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice - Christian feast day:
Frederick the Wise (Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod) - Christian feast day:
Gotthard of Hildesheim - Christian feast day:
Hilary of Arles - Christian feast day:
Jutta of Kulmsee - Christian feast day:
Stanisław Kazimierczyk - Christian feast day:
May 5 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) - Cinco de Mayo (Mexico, United States)
- Constitution Day (Kyrgyzstan)
- Europe Day (Council of Europe)
- Feast of al-Khadr or Saint George (Palestinian)
- Indian Arrival Day (Guyana)