December 5th
Today in 1456,an earthquake struck Naples…killing roughly 35-thousand.
Today in 1766,the world's largest auction house – Christie's –held their first sale in their permanent sale room in Pall Mall, London.
Today in 1792,George Washington was re-elected president.
Today in 1804,Thomas Jefferson was re-elected President.
Today in 1832,Andrew Jackson was re-elected President of the United States.
Today in 1848,President Polk triggered Gold Rush of 1849 by confirming a gold discovery in California.
Today in 1893,an electric car built at the Dixon Carriage works in Toronto was unveiled – it could go 15-miles between charges.
Today in 1929,the first nudist organization in America was established. Called “The American League for Physical Culture in New York City,” it was begun by three men who quickly decided it would be more educational if their organization were co-ed. They began indoors, huddled around a steam pipe in a Lexington Avenue basement. Then, they began their first nudist summer camp, in Central Valley, New York.
Today in 1930,the film, “The Blue Angel,” starring a then-unknown actress named Marlene Dietrich,premiered in America.
Today in 1932,German physicist Albert Einstein was granted a visa, making it possible for him to travel to the United States.
Today in 1933,President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced the Repeal of Prohibition.
Today in 1951,the first push button-controlled garage– known as the ‘Park-O-Mat – opened in Washington, DC. A single attendant, without entering a car, could automatically park or return an auto in less than a minute.
Today in 1952,"The Abbott and Costello Show"began a 52-episode, syndicated run on TV. Comedians Bud Abbott and Lou Costello became such big hits that those same 52 episodes were run over and over on local and network TV for years.
Today in 1955,the Civil Rights boycott of the Montgomery, Alabama bus system began, after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man four days earlier. The successful boycott lasted almost a year before the bus line decided to desegregate their buses – it was the first such demonstration of that scale in the country’s history.
Today in 1973,the film, "Serpico," starring Al Pacino,premiered.
Today in 1978,San Francisco ot its first female mayor as city supervisor Dianne Feinstein was named to replace the assassinated George Moscone.
Today in 1984,the film, "Beverly Hills Cop," starring Eddie Murphy,opened in theaters nationwide.
Today in 1984,a federal jury in North Carolina indicted PTL founder Jim Bakker and his former aid Richard Dortch on fraud and conspiracy charges over the rape and coverup of his secretary Jessica Hahn. Bakker was convicted on all counts. Dortch pleaded guilty to four counts, but received a lighter sentence in exchange for cooperating with authorities. After serving eight-years (a reduction of the original 44-year decision), Bakker has returned to the airwaves as a televangelist, shilling ‘end of days’ food kits…and condos.
Today in 1991,mass murderer Richard Speck,who was convicted of raping and murdering eight student nurses in Chicago in 1966,died in prison a day before his 50th birthday.
Today in 1991,Associated Press correspondent Terry Anderson was released after nearly seven years in captivity in Lebanon.
Today in 1999,Cuban President Fidel Castro demanded that the United States return five-year-old Elian Gonzalez, who was rescued at sea, to his father in Cuba within 72 hours. It didn’t happen…and instead, the child was removed at gun point from a Miami home the following April. Held while legal appeals of relatives were exhausted, he was in his father’s custody and ultimately returned to Cuba in June 2000. He has said that he never regretted returning to Cuba.
Today in 2004,“60 Minutes”aired Bob Dylan's first TV interview in 19 years. Speaking toEd Bradley, Dylan discussed his childhood, songwriting, his relationship with the press, his name, the public's perception of him, his marriage and why he continues to make music and tour.
Today in 2006,Sammy Hagar was honored by the Municipality of Los Cabos, Mexico for his promotion of tourism and achievements in the community of Los Cabos and the state of Baja California Sur.
Today in 2006,Audrey Hepburn's little black Givenchy dress from film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was auctioned for charity at Christie's, London –and went for a record $923,187.
Today in 2007,Kiefer Sutherland began serving a 48-day sentence for drunk driving. He served it all.
Today in 2007,Pamela Anderson was named "TV's Sexiest Woman Ever"by America Online.
Today in 2007,a gunman opened fire with a rifle at an Omaha, Nebraska mall – killing eight people and wounding four – before taking his own life.
Today in 2008,J. Simpson was sentenced to 33 years in prison for kidnapping and armed robbery. Expected to serve at least nine, he was granted parole in July 2017 – and walked out of prison the following October.
Today in 2012,a 243-million-year-old Nyasasaurus fossil was discovered in Tanzania.
Today in 2017, Russia was banned from the upcoming Winter Olympics in South Korea over state-sponsored doping.
Today in 2017, Austrian courts ruled in favor of same-sex marriage starting in 2019.
Today in 2017, Netflix fired actor Danny Masterson from "The Ranch" series after a number of sex assault allegations including rapecame to light. While he hasn’t worked since – and was dropped by his management team – the network ultimately released the final episodes of the show featuring Masterson in Summer 2018.
Today in 2017, Democratic representative John Conyers resigned from Congress amid accusations of sexual harassment and a cover-up. While he initially said he’d fight on, Conyers ultimately caved – making the announcement from his hospital bed – though he maintained the charges weren’t true.
Today in 2017, Twitter revealed K-pop boy band BTS were the most tweeted-about celebrities of the year.
Today in 2018,a 1954 letter by Albert Einstein on the concept of religion sold for a record-breaking $2.9-million at Christie's in New York.