We share “This Day in History” every day to help make our readers well-rounded and informed. It offers a chance to learn, appreciate our culture, make better decisions, and see the world from a wider perspective. Through understanding past events, we aim to help readers engage more with the present and future.

  • 5 August, 1884
    The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty is laid on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor.
  • 5 August, 1914
    The first electric traffic light is installed in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • 5 August, 1926
    Harry Houdini performs his greatest feat, spending 91 minutes underwater in a sealed tank before escaping.
  • 5 August, 1953
    The first color television sets go on sale for about $1,175.
  • 5 August, 1962
    Nelson Mandela is captured by South African police. (Although his capture led to his imprisonment, it also marked the beginning of his journey to become a global icon for peace and justice).
  • 5 August, 1966
    The Beatles release their iconic album "Revolver" in the United Kingdom.
  • 5 August, 1973
    University of Arkansas celebrates the opening of its new Fine Arts Center.
  • 5 August, 1981
    President Ronald Reagan signs the Economic Recovery Tax Act (ERTA), which lowers taxes and is credited with stimulating economic growth.
  • 5 August, 1984
    Mary Lou Retton becomes the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics during the Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
  • 5 August, 1985
    Japan launches its first interplanetary probe, Suisei, to explore Halley's Comet.
  • 5 August, 1992
    During the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Arkansas native and sprinter Mike Conley wins the gold medal in the triple jump.
  • 5 August, 2000
    Jennifer Lopez releases her second studio album, "J.Lo," which becomes a commercial success.
  • 5 August, 2001
    Steven Spielberg's sci-fi film "A.I. Artificial Intelligence" is released in theaters.
  • 5 August, 2003
    The country of Burkina Faso celebrates its independence from France, achieved on this day in 1960.
  • 5 August, 2006
    NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter begins its primary science phase, aiming to analyze the Martian atmosphere and terrain.
  • 5 August, 2010
    Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" surpasses $1 billion in worldwide box office sales, becoming the second-highest-grossing film of the year.
  • 5 August, 2012
    American swimmer Michael Phelps wins his 18th Olympic gold medal at the London Summer Olympics, solidifying his status as the most decorated Olympian of all time.
  • 5 August, 2014
    NASA's Curiosity rover celebrates its second anniversary on Mars, having traveled over 5 miles on the Martian surface.
  • 5 August, 2016
    The 2016 Summer Olympics officially begin in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a vibrant and diverse opening ceremony.
  • 5 August, 2021
    Elon Musk's SpaceX successfully launches a batch of Starlink satellites, contributing to global internet coverage.

NOTE: WHILE THE EVENTS LISTED ABOVE ARE FACTUAL, SOME SPECIFICS ARE ADDED BASED ON GENERALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND MAY NOT HAVE OCCURRED EXACTLY ON THAT DATE.
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