What Happened on January 5 in History?
January 5 has been a pivotal day for political independence, women's leadership, and iconic construction/engineering/manufacturing events.
Historical Milestones
New Hampshire’s Independence (1776): New Hampshire became the first American colony to declare independence from Great Britain by adopting its first state constitution.
First Female U.S. Governor (1925): Nellie Tayloe Ross was inaugurated as governor of Wyoming, making her the first woman to serve as a state governor in the U.S.
Golden Gate Bridge Construction (1933): Work officially began on the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Ford’s $5 Minimum Wage (1914): Henry Ford announced he would pay a minimum wage of $5 per day (double the previous rate) and reduce the workday to eight hours, a move that revolutionized the labor market.
Discovery of Eris (2005): Astronomers discovered the dwarf planet Eris, an event that eventually led to the controversial redefinition of "planet" and the demotion of Pluto.
Conflict & Politics
Burning of Richmond (1781): During the American Revolutionary War, British forces led by Benedict Arnold captured and burned Richmond, Virginia.
The Dreyfus Affair (1895): French officer Alfred Dreyfus was stripped of his rank and sentenced to life imprisonment for treason in a high-profile case later proven to be fueled by anti-Semitism.
Prague Spring Begins (1968): Alexander Dubček rose to power in Czechoslovakia, initiating a period of political liberalization known as the "Prague Spring".
Khmer Rouge Constitution (1976): Pol Pot announced a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea (formerly Cambodia), legalizing the Communist government.
Culture & Science
X-ray Discovery Reported (1896): An Austrian newspaper first reported Wilhelm Röntgen’s discovery of a new type of radiation, which would become known as X-rays.
Space Shuttle Program (1972): President Richard Nixon announced the development of the Space Shuttle program, aiming for a reusable spacecraft.
"Waiting for Godot" Premiere (1953): Samuel Beckett’s landmark play premiered in Paris, forever changing modern theater.
Babe Ruth Sale (1920): The New York Yankees officially announced the purchase of Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox for $125,000.
Famous Births & Deaths
Born: Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1592), Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki (1941), and actor Bradley Cooper (1975).
Died: U.S. President Calvin Coolidge (1933) and entertainer/politician Sonny Bono (1998), who was killed in a skiing accident.
