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: Hamas and other militant groups in the Gaza Strip launched hundreds of rockets into Israel, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli civilians in Ashkelon and another in Ashdod. In retaliation, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 23 Palestinians, including a senior Hamas commander.
- 2009: A horrific terrorist attack occurred in south-eastern Turkey, where masked assailants armed with automatic rifles and grenades launched a brutal assault on a wedding celebration, resulting in the tragic deaths of 44 innocent people.
- 2007: Theodore Maiman, an influential American physicist known for his groundbreaking work in laser technology, passed away. Born in 1927, Maiman was a pioneering scientist who invented the first functioning laser in 1960.
- 2005: The United Kingdom general election resulted in the Labour Party being re-elected with a significantly reduced parliamentary majority, marking a notable shift in the political landscape.
- 2003: Boeing released a conceptual drawing of its futuristic aircraft design and launched a public contest to name the innovative airplane concept, engaging the public in the creative process of aerospace design.
- 2001: Cliff Hillegass, the influential American writer and publisher known for creating CliffsNotes study guides, died on this date. His educational publications revolutionized student study methods by providing concise summaries and critical analyses of complex literary works.
- 1980: Maia Hirasawa, a notable Swedish pop singer, was born on this date. She would later become known for her musical contributions to the Swedish music scene.
- 1979: Ron Franklin rode Spectacular Bid to victory in the 105th Kentucky Derby, completing the race in an impressive time of 2:02.4, showcasing exceptional horse racing performance.
- 1974: Professional golfer Sandra Spuzich secured victory at the LPGA Lady Tara Golf Classic, adding to her competitive achievements in women's professional golf.
What famous birthdays are on May 5?
On May 5th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Michael Palin]()
Michael Palin (1943)British comedian, actor, and writer best known as a member of the legendary Monty Python comedy group.
![Chris Brown]()
Chris Brown (1989)Chris Brown is a prominent American R&B singer, dancer, and actor known for his chart-topping music and dynamic performances.
![Tyrone Power]()
Tyrone Power (1914)Tyrone Power was a legendary Hollywood actor of the Golden Age, known for his exceptional looks, talent, and versatility.
![Pat Carroll]()
Pat Carroll (1927)Renowned American actress and comedian best known for voicing Ursula in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' and her extensive work in television...
![Henry Cavill]()
Henry Cavill (1983)British actor known for his roles in Hollywood films and television series, who rose to international fame as Superman in DC Comics...
![Danielle Fishel]()
Danielle Fishel (1981)Danielle Fishel is an American actress best known for her iconic role as Topanga Lawrence in the popular 90s sitcom 'Boy Meets World' and...
![John Rhys-Davies]()
John Rhys-Davies (1944)John Rhys-Davies is a renowned Welsh actor famous for his iconic roles as Gimli in 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy and Sallah in the Indiana...
![Virginie Efira]()
Virginie Efira (1977)Belgian actress and TV presenter known for her work on 'Nouvelle Star', a popular talent show that discovers new singing talents.
![Vincent Kartheiser]()
Vincent Kartheiser (1979)Vincent Kartheiser is an American actor best known for his critically acclaimed role as Pete Campbell in the Emmy-winning television series...
![Craig David]()
Craig David (1981)Craig David is a British pop and R&B singer known for his chart-topping hits in the early 2000s, including '7 Days' and 'Fill Me In'.
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:
![Jean-Claude Pascal]()
Jean-Claude Pascal (1992)French actor known for his role in 'Golden Salamander', who had a notable career in cinema and passed away at 64.
![Dana Wynter]()
Dana Wynter (2011)German-English actress known for her roles in classic films, including the science fiction thriller 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1956).
![John Williams]()
![Elisabeth Fraser]()
![Albert Dekker]()
- Mikhail Botvinnik (1995)
Legendary Soviet chess grandmaster who dominated world chess for decades and was a three-time world champion.
- Theodore Maiman (2007)
Theodore Maiman was a pioneering American physicist who invented the first functioning laser in 1960, revolutionizing scientific and...
- 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 (2002)
Bolivian military dictator and politician who served as president from 1971 to 1978 and again democratically from 1997 to 2001.
- 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, 2025 the day of the week is Monday.
| May | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
