On this day, October 5 - Know what happened today in history

October 5 has seen a number of historic milestones, from political revolutions to space exploration, and entertainment firsts that shaped pop culture. Let's dive into some of the most noteworthy events that happened on this day.

2000: Bulldozer Revolution in Yugoslavia

On October 5, 2000, the people of Yugoslavia saw the end of President Slobodan Milosevic's rule after massive protests swept the capital, Belgrade. Thousands gathered to oppose the results of a recent election, accusing Milosevic of electoral fraud. The protests, largely peaceful, did see the burning of the Parliament building. Just two days later, on October 7, Milosevic resigned from office, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s political history.

1984: Canada Sends Its First Astronaut into Space

Canada reached a significant milestone in space exploration when Marc Garneau became the first Canadian to fly into space. Garneau served as a payload specialist on NASA's Space Shuttle Challenger during mission STS-41-G. The mission was also remarkable for being the first spaceflight to include two female astronauts, Sally Ride and Kathryn Sullivan, who made history as well.

1969: Monty Python’s Flying Circus Debuts

A new era of television comedy began on this day in 1969 when Monty Python’s Flying Circus aired for the first time on the BBC. The show, known for its absurd and satirical humour, was an instant hit and featured a cast of talented comedians including John Cleese, Eric Idle, and Michael Palin. Its unique style left a lasting impact on comedic television across the globe.

1962: James Bond Hits Theatres for the First Time

The world met its favourite British secret agent, James Bond, for the first time on this day in 1962 with the release of Dr. No. Based on the Ian Fleming novel, this debut film featured Sean Connery as the iconic 007, kicking off a franchise that would become one of the most successful in cinema history.

1947: First Televised Presidential Speech in the United States

In a pioneering moment for American politics, President Harry Truman became the first U.S. president to deliver a televised speech on October 5, 1947. Truman used the broadcast to ask the American people to conserve food in order to aid post-war Europe, requesting citizens to avoid meat on Tuesdays and eggs on Thursdays.

Notable Births on This Day

• 1975: Kate Winslet, Versatile, English actress


• 1958: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Renowned, American astrophysicist


• 1936: Václav Havel, Influential, Czech politician, 1st President of the Czech Republic


• 1882: Robert H. Goddard, Pioneer, American physicist, inventor


• 1829: Chester A. Arthur, Prominent, American politician, 21st President of the United States

Notable Deaths on This Day

• 2011: Steve Jobs, Visionary, American businessman, co-founded Apple Inc. and Pixar


• 1941: Louis Brandeis, Influential, American jurist


• 1927: Sam Warner, Legendary, American film producer, co-founded Warner Bros.


• 1880: Jacques Offenbach, Celebrated, German-French composer


• 1813: Tecumseh, Iconic, American tribal leader

These notable events and personalities from October 5 offer a glimpse into the impactful moments and figures that have shaped history across politics, science, entertainment, and culture.