May 5: What Happened on This Day in History
May 5th marks the 125th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 126th in case of leap years). There are 240 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on May 5th in history, famous birthdays on May 5th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to May 5.
What happened on May 5?
Here's what happened on May 5th in history:
- 2022: On May 5, 2022, Russia launched extensive missile attacks targeting Ukrainian rail infrastructure and supply routes, aiming to disrupt Western arms deliveries. Russian missiles, deployed from air and sea platforms, struck railroad stations and power facilities across Ukraine. The attacks were strategically timed before Russia's May 9 Victory Day celebrations, potentially signaling an escalation of military operations. The U.S. maintained that these strikes did not significantly impede arms shipments to Ukrainian forces. Russian artillery and aircraft concentrated on areas with high concentrations of Ukrainian troops, weapons, and fuel depots.
- 2019: On May 5, 2019, over 600 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel, resulting in the deaths of at least four Israeli civilians. In response, Israel's military conducted more than 220 airstrikes targeting high-value militant positions in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to hold Hamas accountable for its actions and those of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement operating from Gaza. source: axios.com
- 2007: Street Sense won the 133rd Kentucky Derby, a prestigious horse racing event that attracts global attention and represents a significant moment in the sport.
- 2005: On May 5, 2005, Tony Blair was re-elected as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, securing a historic third term in office. His Labour Party won the general election, marking a significant political milestone. source: theguardian.com
- 1980: On May 5, 1980, Konstantinos Karamanlis was elected President of Greece by the Hellenic Parliament, succeeding Konstantinos Tsatsos. Karamanlis, leader of the New Democracy party, had previously served as Prime Minister and was instrumental in Greece's return to democracy after the 1974 military junta. His election marked a significant moment in Greek politics, reflecting his enduring influence and the consolidation of democratic institutions in the country. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1979: On May 5, 1979, Voyager 1 successfully completed its flyby of Jupiter, providing unprecedented images and data about the planet and its moons. This historic event marked a significant milestone in space exploration, revealing details about Jupiter's atmosphere, magnetic field, and its largest moon, Ganymede. The mission greatly enhanced our understanding of the outer solar system. source: nasa.gov
- 1974: Expo '74, the first environmentally themed World's Fair, opened in Spokane, Washington, attracting approximately 5.6 million visitors. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1973: On May 5, 1973, former Texas Governor John B. Connally announced his switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. This move was significant in the context of the political realignment occurring in the United States during the 1970s. source: nytimes.com
- 1972: Reverend Gary David, a notable vocalist, passed away at the age of 76, marking the end of a significant musical career.
- 1971: On May 5, 1971, the US dollar experienced significant fluctuations, impacting European currency markets. This event was part of a broader economic context involving currency devaluation and international monetary policy changes. source: brookings.edu
What famous birthdays are on May 5?
On May 5th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Adele (singer)]()
Adele (singer) (1988)Adele is a Grammy Award-winning British singer-songwriter renowned for her powerful, soulful vocals and deeply emotive pop ballads. She gained international acclaim for hits such as 'Someone Like You,' 'Hello,' and 'Rolling in the Deep', and is considered one of the best-selling music artists of her generation. [bio]
![Karl Marx]()
Karl Marx (1818)Karl Marx was a German philosopher, economist, historian, sociologist, political theorist, journalist, and socialist revolutionary best known for his critical analysis of capitalism and his influential works on communism, most notably 'The Communist Manifesto' and 'Das Kapital.' [bio]
![Michael Palin]()
Michael Palin (1943)Michael Palin is a British comedian, actor, writer, and broadcaster. He is best known as a member of the legendary comedy group Monty Python, contributing as a writer and performer to both the television series 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' and the subsequent films. Outside comedy, he has become a renowned travel documentarian, presenting a series of acclaimed travel documentaries for … [bio]
![Chris Brown]()
Chris Brown (1989)Chris Brown is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor known for his contributions to contemporary R&B music. He rose to fame with his self-titled debut album in 2005 and is recognized for his dynamic vocal range, energetic stage performances, and chart-topping hits. [bio]
![Henry Cavill]()
Henry Cavill (1983)Henry Cavill is a British actor best known for his roles as Superman in the DC Extended Universe and Geralt of Rivia in the Netflix series 'The Witcher.' His performances in blockbuster films and popular TV series have earned him international recognition. [bio]
![Bill Ward]()
Bill Ward (1948)Bill Ward is an English musician and songwriter, best known as the original drummer for the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, which he co-founded in 1968. Ward's innovative and powerful drumming contributed substantially to the sound and success of the band, especially on their first eight albums. [bio]
![John Rhys-Davies]()
John Rhys-Davies (1944)John Rhys-Davies is a Welsh actor best known for his roles as Gimli in 'The Lord of the Rings' film trilogy and Sallah in the 'Indiana Jones' franchise. He has also had a prolific career in television and voice acting. [bio]
![Tyrone Power]()
Tyrone Power (1914)Tyrone Power was a prominent American film, stage, and radio actor, best known for his swashbuckling roles in Hollywood films from the 1930s to the 1950s. He starred in romantic, adventure, and historical movies, becoming one of 20th Century Fox's top box office draws. [bio]
![Craig David]()
Craig David (1981)Craig David is a British singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer who rose to international fame in the early 2000s with his debut album 'Born to Do It' and hit singles such as 'Fill Me In' and '7 Days.' He is recognized for helping to popularize UK garage and R&B genres in mainstream music. [bio]
![Pat Carroll]()
Pat Carroll (1927)Pat Carroll was an American actress and comedian, best known for her extensive work in television, film, and on stage, including her iconic voice role as Ursula in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' (1989). With a career spanning over seven decades, Carroll was celebrated for her comedic timing and versatility. [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on May 5?
On May 5th the following celebrities died:
![Dana Wynter]()
Dana Wynter (2011)Dana Wynter was a German-born British actress best known for her role as Becky Driscoll in the classic science fiction film 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1956). She appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, and was recognized for her elegance and versatility on screen. [bio]
![Jean-Claude Pascal]()
Jean-Claude Pascal (1992)Jean-Claude Pascal was a French singer, actor, and writer best known for winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961, representing Luxembourg with the song 'Nous les amoureux'. He was also a prominent film actor and a well-known figure in French popular culture during the mid-20th century. [bio]
![John Williams]()
![Elisabeth Fraser]()
![Albert Dekker]()
![Mikhail Botvinnik]()
Mikhail Botvinnik (1995)Legendary Soviet chess grandmaster who dominated world chess for decades and was a three-time world champion.
![Theodore Maiman]()
Theodore Maiman (2007)Theodore Maiman was a pioneering American physicist who invented the first functioning laser in 1960, revolutionizing scientific and...
![Bobby Sands]()
Bobby Sands (1981)Irish republican activist and political prisoner who became a symbol of the Irish republican movement during the Troubles, dying after a...
![Hugo Banzer]()
Hugo Banzer (2002)Bolivian military dictator and politician who served as president from 1971 to 1978 and again democratically from 1997 to 2001.
![Donald Bailey]()
Donald Bailey (1985)Donald Bailey was a renowned British civil engineer who designed the Bailey bridge, a revolutionary portable military bridge used...
What day of the year is May 5?
May 5th marks the 125th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 126th in case of leap years).
There are 240 days remaining until the end of the year.
May 5th is the 5th day of the month of May.
What day of the week is May 5?
On May 5th, 2026 the day of the week is Tuesday.
| May | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
What zodiac sign is associated with the day May 5?
The zodiac sign associated with May 5th is Taurus according to the Western Zodiac.
