Today’s Historical Highlights – December 5th
It’s Friday, December 5th, marking the 339th day of the year with only 26 days remaining in 2025.
Significant Events on This Day:
On December 5, 1952, the Great Smog of London engulfed the city, causing a thick fog of toxic pollutants that lasted for five days, resulting in numerous deaths.
In 1848, President James K. Polk’s announcement to Congress about the discovery of gold in California led to the Gold Rush of ’49.
On this day in 1933, Prohibition came to an end as Utah ratified the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, repealing the 18th Amendment.
In 1955, the American Federation of Labor merged with the Congress of Industrial Organizations to form the AFL-CIO under the leadership of George Meany.
December 5th also saw the sentencing of O.J. Simpson to up to 33 years in prison in 2008 for criminal charges related to a 2007 incident in Las Vegas. Simpson later passed away in 2024.
In 2013, the world mourned the loss of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first Black president and a prominent anti-apartheid leader, who passed away at the age of 95.
Birthdays Celebrated Today:
- Calvin Trillin, Author – 90 years old
- Jose Carreras, Opera Singer – 79 years old
- Jim Messina, Musician – 78 years old
- Lanny Wadkins, Golf Hall of Famer – 76 years old
- Art Monk, Football Hall of Famer – 68 years old
- John Rzeznik, Rock Singer-Musician (The Goo Goo Dolls) – 60 years old
- Gary Allan, Country Singer – 58 years old
- Margaret Cho, Comedian-Actor – 57 years old
- Paula Patton, Actor – 50 years old
- Keri Hilson, Singer-Songwriter – 43 years old
- Frankie Muniz, Actor and Stock Car Driver – 40 years old
- Conan Gray, Singer-Songwriter – 27 years old
