All Events

Historical Events on August 5

  • Flagellation

    1861

    The United States Army abolishes flogging.

  • SS Königin Luise (1913)

    1914

    World War I: The German minelayer SS Königin Luise lays a minefield about 40 miles (64 km) off the Thames Estuary (Lowestoft). She is intercepted and sunk by the British light-cruiser HMS Amphion.

  • Traffic light

    1914

    In Cleveland, Ohio, the first electric traffic light is installed.

  • Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940

    1940

    World War II: The Soviet Union formally annexes Latvia.

  • Nelson Mandela

    1962

    Apartheid in South Africa: Nelson Mandela is jailed. He would not be released until 1990.

  • Operation Pierce Arrow

    1964

    Vietnam War: Operation Pierce Arrow: American aircraft from carriers USS Ticonderoga and USS Constellation bomb North Vietnam in retaliation for strikes against U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin.

  • Vietnam War

    1974

    Vietnam War: The U.S. Congress places a $1 billion limit on military aid to South Vietnam.

  • Sandinista National Liberation Front

    1989

    General elections are held in Nicaragua with the Sandinista National Liberation Front winning a majority.

  • Operation Storm

    1995

    Yugoslav Wars: The city of Knin, Croatia, a significant Serb stronghold, is captured by Croatian forces during Operation Storm. The date is celebrated in Croatia as Victory Day.

All Births

Famous Birthdays on August 5

All Deaths

Famous Deaths on August 5

04. August

06. August