Edward the Confessor, King of England, dies, leading to a succession crisis, the Battle of Hastings. and the Norman Conquest.
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What Happened Today in History on January 5
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on January 5th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Robert the Bruce renounces his allegiance to England's King Edward I, beginning his campaign for the Scottish throne.
A peace treaty is signed between Sweden and Denmark, known as the Treaty of Gottorp.
The University of Copenhagen is founded in Denmark.
Birth of Anne of Brittany, future queen consort of France and duchess of Brittany.
The Battle of Nancy takes place, where Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy is killed.
Pope Clement VII forbids Henry VIII from remarrying until his first marriage is resolved; threatening excommunication if he did so.
Henry, who was seeking to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn, ignored the Pope's warning and went on to secretly marry Anne Boleyn in 1532. This defiance ultimately led to Henry VIII's excommunication and the English Reformation, as England broke away from the authority of the Catholic Church. More
The Treaty of Nonsuch is signed between England and the Dutch rebels, formalizing their alliance against Spain.
The publication of Galileo Galilei's "Sidereus Nuncius" announces the discovery of Jupiter's moons.
Isaac Newton's "Principia Mathematica" is published, outlining the laws of motion and universal gravitation.
The Duke of Marlborough is dismissed from his command by Queen Anne during the War of the Spanish Succession.
Columbia University in New York City holds its first classes.
Afghani ruler Ahmad Shah Durrani defeats the Marathas in the Battle of Barari Ghat, consolidating power in India.
The first traveler's cheques are issued by the London Credit Exchange Company.
Davy Crockett arrives in Texas, joining the fight for independence from Mexico.
The Golden Gate Bridge construction starts. Joseph B. Strauss led the way as Chief Engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge and he is is also credited as being the leading force behind seeing the Golden Gate Bridge become a reality. The bridge was completed on May May 28, 1937. More
Iceland becomes the first country to legalize abortion.
The Eisenhower Doctrine is announced, providing military and economic aid to Middle Eastern countries threatened by communism.
Alexander Dubček comes to power in Czechoslovakia, beginning the period known as the Prague Spring.
President Richard Nixon signs a bill authorizing $5.5 billion for the development of a reusable winged space transportation system commonly known as the space shuttle. The reusability of the shuttle’s components was expected to provide regular access to space to many customers, while at the same time reducing costs. The spacecraft was to be designed to carry seven astronauts and up to 50,000 pounds of cargo into orbits a few hundred miles from Earth. NASA launched Columbia, the first space shuttle, in 1981. More
Democrats win both Senate seats in Georgia's runoff elections, giving them control of the U.S. Senate.