December 5: What Happened on This Day in History

• 2021: Venezuelan intelligence officials successfully conducted an ambush operation that resulted in the elimination of Hernán Darío Hernández, a notorious leader of a FARC dissident group. Hernández was infamously responsible for the 2003 El Nogal Club bombing in Bogotá, which claimed 36 lives and injured over 200 people, marking a significant blow to remaining paramilitary elements.
• 2008: Nina Foch, a prominent Dutch-born American actress who had a significant career in film and television, passed away. Born in 1924, she was known for her versatile acting skills and contributions to the entertainment industry.
• 2006: The military seizes power in Fiji through a coup d'état led by Commodore Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama, overthrowing the democratically elected government and creating significant political instability in the Pacific island nation.
• 2000: The Fireball Network of cameras in Europe documented a significant meteor event, capturing a fireball estimated to weigh approximately 270 kilograms passing over Germany. This observation contributes to scientific understanding of meteorological phenomena and near-Earth objects.
• 1994: On December 5, 1994, the Budapest Memorandum was signed by the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. This landmark diplomatic agreement provided critical security assurances to Ukraine in exchange for the country voluntarily surrendering its substantial nuclear arsenal inherited from the Soviet Union. The memorandum guaranteed Ukraine's territorial integrity and political independence, with signatories pledging to respect its sovereignty and refrain from using or threatening military force against the nation.
• 1990: Luis del Cid, a former aide to Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, pleaded guilty in federal court, likely related to charges stemming from Noriega's involvement in drug trafficking and political corruption.
• 1987: A world record was set in the 3 km ladies speed skating event with a time of 4:16.76 at Schönbrunn.
• 1985: Frankie Muniz, an American child actor best known for his role in the television series 'Malcolm in the Middle', was born on this date. He would later become a prominent young actor in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
• 1977: In a significant diplomatic move, Egypt officially broke diplomatic relations with Syria, Libya, Algeria, Iraq, and South Yemen. This action was a direct response to the Declaration of Tripoli, a political statement that was perceived as hostile towards Egypt's diplomatic stance and regional interests.
• 1975: The musical 'Me & Bessie' concluded its Broadway run at the Ambassador Theater in New York City after a successful 453-performance engagement.

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December 5th marks the 339th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 340th in case of leap years).

There are 26 days remaining until the end of the year.

December 5th is the 5th day of the month of December.

What day of the week is December 5?

On December 5th, 2025 the day of the week is Friday.

Holidays and Observances on December 5

The zodiac sign associated with December 5th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.

More about December 5 zodiac

What is special about the Sagittarius sign?

• Sagittarius personality traits and attitude
• Sagittarius most and least compatible signs
• Why December born are so special