This Day In History, December 5th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on December 5th
During his first voyage to the Americas, Christopher Columbus is the first European to set foot on the island of Hispaniola, which is now divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
The Grand Union Flag, the first official flag of the United States, is raised onboard the USS Alfred, commanded by Captain John Paul Jones.
Former US President John Quincy Adams becomes the only former president to serve in the legislative branch when he takes his place in the House of Representatives as a freshly elected congressman in 1831.
The 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution is approved in 1933, abolishing the countrywide ban of alcoholic beverages that had been in effect since 1920.
Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president and a global anti-apartheid symbol, dies at the age of 95 in 2013.
1492: Christopher Columbus becomes the first European to set foot on the island of Hispaniola, now divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, during his first voyage to the Americas.
During his first voyage to the Americas, Christopher Columbus arrived on the island of Hispaniola on December 5, 1492. In August of that year, he set off from Spain, aiming to find a fresh path to Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic. Instead, in October, he landed on a tiny island in the present-day Bahamas and then moved on to explore other Caribbean islands, including Hispaniola. Columbus founded a tiny hamlet called La Navidad on the northern shore of Hispaniola, but it was destroyed a few months later by the native Tano people. Nonetheless, Columbus' voyage laid the groundwork for European colonization and exploration of the Americas.
1776: The first official flag of the United States, known as the Grand Union Flag, is raised aboard the ship USS Alfred, commanded by Captain John Paul Jones.
The Grand Union Flag, commonly known as the Continental Colors, was hoisted on December 5, 1776, onboard the USS Alfred, commanded by Captain John Paul Jones. The flag contained the British Union Jack in the upper left corner, reflecting the links between the American colonies and Great Britain, as well as 13 alternating red and white stripes, commemorating the 13 colonies that proclaimed independence from Britain earlier that year. The Grand Union Flag served as the Continental Army and Navy's official flag until 1777, when it was replaced with the first iteration of the Stars and Stripes. Today, December 5, is National Flag Day in the United States.
1831: Former US President John Quincy Adams takes his seat in the House of Representatives as a newly elected congressman, becoming the only former president to serve in the legislative branch.
John Quincy Adams was elected to the United States House of Representatives on December 5, 1831, representing the state of Massachusetts. Adams had previously served as the sixth President of the United States from 1825 to 1829, but he was defeated in his reelection campaign by Andrew Jackson. Despite his defeat, Adams remained politically active, becoming a vocal opponent of slavery in the House of Representatives. He was the only former US president to participate in the legislative arm of government, serving as a congressman until his death in 1848.
1933: The 21st Amendment to the US Constitution is ratified, repealing the nationwide prohibition of alcohol that had been in place since 1920.
The 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution was approved on December 5, 1933, legally repealing the 18th Amendment and bringing the era of Prohibition in the United States to an end. The 18th Amendment, enacted in 1920, prohibited the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic drinks across the country. The legislation, however, was extensively disregarded, resulting in a surge in organized crime and corruption. With the country trapped in the Great Depression and in desperate need of additional cash, the government approved the 21st Amendment, which authorized the sale and use of alcohol once more. Prohibition's repeal was celebrated across the country with parties and public gatherings, and the alcohol business immediately recovered, creating new employment.
2013: Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa and a global icon of the anti-apartheid movement, dies at the age of 95.
Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president and a towering figure in the anti-apartheid movement, died on December 5, 2013, at the age of 95. Mandela had been imprisoned for 27 years for his fight against the South African government's racist policies, but was freed in 1990 and went on to become the country's first democratically elected president in 1994. Mandela's vision and leadership aided in the healing of apartheid scars and the peaceful transition to a multiracial democracy in South Africa. He was highly regarded for his dedication to reconciliation, forgiveness, and social justice, and he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 in recognition of his efforts to promote peace and human rights. Mandela's death was mourned around the world, and he is remembered as a hero and an inspiration to millions.