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On This Day · The 278th day of the year

October 5

A look at October 5 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Denis Diderot and Reinhard Selten, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2011

    Mekong River massacre

    In the Mekong River massacre, two Chinese cargo boats are hijacked and 13 crew members murdered.

    2011 hijacking of two
  2. 1999

    Ladbroke Grove rail crash

    The Ladbroke Grove rail crash in West London kills 31 people.

    1999 rail accident in
  3. 1994

    Order of the Solar Temple

    Swiss police find the bodies of 48 members of the Order of the Solar Temple, who had died in a cult mass murder-suicide.

    Esoteric new religious movement
  4. 1988

    Augusto Pinochet

    A Chilean opposition coalition defeats Augusto Pinochet in his re-election attempt.

    Dictator of Chile from
  5. 1963

    Commercial Import Program

    The United States suspends the Commercial Import Program in response to repression of the Buddhist majority by the regime of President Ngo Dinh Diem.

    Economic aid pact between
  6. 1943

    World War II

    World War II: Pacific Theater: Ninety-eight American POWs are executed by Japanese forces on Wake Island.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  7. 1936

    Jarrow March

    The Jarrow March sets off for London.

    1936 protest about unemployment
  8. 1914

    World War I

    World War I: An aircraft successfully destroys another aircraft with gunfire for the first time.

    1914–1918 global conflict
  9. 1869

    Eastman tunnel

    The Eastman tunnel, in Minnesota, United States, collapses during construction, causing a landslide that nearly destroys St. Anthony Falls.

    Collapsed tunnel in Minneapolis,
  10. 869

    Fourth Council of Constantinople (Catholic Church)

    The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to depose patriarch Photios I.

    8th ecumenical council of
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Famous birthday twins

Born on October 5

Denis Diderot

b. 1713

French philosopher and critic

Reinhard Selten

b. 1930

German economist and mathematician, Nobel Prize laureate

Michael Grabner

b. 1987

Austrian ice hockey player

Lucien Mérignac

b. 1873

French fencer

Chester A. Arthur

b. 1829

American general, lawyer, and politician, 21st President of the United States

Václav Havel

b. 1936

Czech poet, playwright, and politician, 1st President of the Czech Republic

Fritz Fischer (medical doctor)

b. 1912

German physician and convicted war criminal

Bahar Kizil

b. 1988

German singer-songwriter

Deaths

  • 2013Ruth R. Benerito, American chemist and academic
  • 2013Carlo Lizzani, Italian actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
  • 2011Steve Jobs, American businessman, co-founder of Apple Inc.
  • 1938Faustina Kowalska, Polish nun and saint
  • 1880Jacques Offenbach, German-French cellist and composer
  • 610Phocas, Byzantine emperor

Holidays & observances

  • —World Space Week (October 4–10)
  • —Armed Forces Day (Indonesia)
  • —Christian feast day: Anna Schäffer
  • —Christian feast day: Faustina Kowalska
  • —Christian feast day: Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos (Roman Catholic Church)
  • —Christian feast day: Blessed Bartolo Longo
  • —Christian feast day: Thraseas
  • —Christian feast day: Hor and Susia (Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria)

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