On This Day in History – June 5

Major Events

• 1849 – Denmark becomes a constitutional monarchy with the signing of a new constitution, ending absolute monarchy.

• 1944 – Allied forces enter Rome during World War II, marking the first Axis capital to fall.

• 1967 – The Six-Day War begins as Israel launches a preemptive strike against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.

• 1968 – U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy is shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the California primary; he dies the next day.

• 1981 – The first cases of AIDS are officially reported by the CDC in the United States.

• 2004 – Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, passes away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Famous Birthdays

• Adam Smith (1723–1790), Scottish economist and philosopher, best known for The Wealth of Nations.

• Pancho Villa (1878–1923), Mexican revolutionary general and folk hero.

• John Maynard Keynes (1883–1946), British economist who revolutionized economic theory during the Great Depression.

• Bill Moyers (born 1934), American journalist and political commentator.

• Mark Wahlberg (born 1971), American actor, producer, and former rapper.

• Pete Wentz (born 1979), American musician and bassist for Fall Out Boy.

• Troye Sivan (born 1995), Australian singer, actor, and YouTuber.

Notable Deaths

• Stephen Crane (1871–1900), American author of The Red Badge of Courage.

• O. Henry (1862–1910), American short story writer known for twist endings.

• Mel Tormé (1925–1999), American jazz singer, composer, and actor.

• Ronald Reagan (1911–2004), 40th President of the United States and former actor.

Holidays

• World Environment Day – Established by the United Nations in 1972 to raise awareness and encourage action for the protection of the environment.

• Constitution Day (Denmark) – Celebrates the signing of the Danish Constitution in 1849.

• Liberation Day (Seychelles) – Commemorates the country’s political independence movement.

Fun Facts

• June 5 is the official launch date of World Environment Day, making it a major occasion for global environmental campaigns.

• The fall of Rome to Allied forces in 1944 occurred just one day before the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

• The Six-Day War dramatically reshaped the Middle East in less than a week, with consequences still felt today.

• Ronald Reagan and John Maynard Keynes, two influential figures in political and economic history, both mark June 5—one by death, the other by birth.

• Troye Sivan was born on the same date the CDC reported the first official AIDS cases in 1981, a pivotal moment in public health history.