1496day.year
King Henry VII of England issues letters patent to John Cabot and his sons, authorising them to explore unknown lands.
In 1496, King Henry VII granted John Cabot and his sons letters patent to explore and claim new lands beyond Europe.
Seeking to expand English influence and rival Spanish and Portuguese voyages, Henry VII issued letters patent on March 5, 1496, empowering Genoese navigator John Cabot and his sons. The royal commission authorized them to seek unknown territories across the Atlantic and claim them for England. Cabot’s expedition aimed to discover a western route to Asia and access lucrative spice markets. Although the first voyage faced funding and crew challenges, it laid the groundwork for later explorations. In 1497, Cabot reached the coast of Newfoundland, marking England’s first recorded landing on mainland North America. The letters patent symbolized England’s emerging maritime ambitions and set a precedent for future colonial endeavors. Cabot’s voyages ultimately opened the door to English claims in the New World, influencing centuries of exploration and colonization.
1496
Henry VII of England
John Cabot
1766day.year
Antonio de Ulloa, the first Spanish governor of Louisiana, arrives in New Orleans.
In 1766, Antonio de Ulloa arrived in New Orleans as the first Spanish governor of Louisiana following the Treaty of Paris.
After Spain acquired Louisiana from France in 1763, Antonio de Ulloa was appointed its first Spanish governor and arrived in New Orleans on March 5, 1766. His administration introduced Spanish legal codes, administrative reforms, and efforts to integrate the colony into the Spanish empire. Ulloa faced resistance from French-speaking colonists unaccustomed to Spanish rule and its regulations. Language barriers, cultural differences, and economic tensions complicated his governance. Despite modest improvements in fortifications and trade regulations, his authority remained limited. His tenure was cut short by the Louisiana Rebellion of 1768, when colonists briefly expelled Spanish officials. Ulloa’s arrival marked the beginning of Spanish influence in the Mississippi Valley and set the stage for later territorial disputes.
1766
Antonio de Ulloa
Louisiana
New Orleans
1860day.year
Parma, Tuscany, Modena and Romagna vote in referendums to join the Kingdom of Sardinia.
Plebiscites in Parma, Tuscany, Modena, and Romagna approve joining the Kingdom of Sardinia, advancing Italian unification.
In the wake of the Italian unification movement called the Risorgimento, several duchies held referendums on joining the Kingdom of Sardinia.
On March 5, 1860, citizens of Parma, Tuscany, Modena, and Romagna overwhelmingly voted in favor of annexation.
These plebiscites were orchestrated by Piedmontese statesman Count Cavour to consolidate territories under King Victor Emmanuel II.
The successful referendums expanded Sardinian rule and weakened Austrian influence in the region.
This critical step paved the way for the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy the following year.
The votes reflected growing nationalist sentiment and laid foundations for modern Italian statehood.
1860
Parma
Tuscany
Modena
Romagna
referendums
Kingdom of Sardinia
1931day.year
The British Raj: Gandhi–Irwin Pact is signed.
The Gandhi–Irwin Pact is signed, easing tensions between British authorities and Indian nationalists.
Representatives of Mahatma Gandhi and British Viceroy Lord Irwin signed the Gandhi–Irwin Pact in 1931, temporarily easing tensions in colonial India.
The agreement followed Gandhi's Salt March protest against the British salt tax.
Under the pact, political prisoners were released and Congress accepted limited self-rule measures.
In return, Gandhi agreed to suspend civil disobedience campaigns focused on salt production.
The compromise opened the door for Indian leaders to participate in the Round Table Conferences in London.
While it stopped short of full independence, the pact marked a significant milestone in India's struggle for freedom.
1931
British Raj
Gandhi–Irwin Pact
1933day.year
Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party receives 43.9% at the Reichstag elections, which allows the Nazis to later pass the Enabling Act and establish a dictatorship.
Hitler's Nazi Party wins 43.9% in Reichstag elections, setting the stage for dictatorship.
In the March 5, 1933 Reichstag elections, Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party secured 43.9% of the vote, becoming the largest single party in Germany.
With support from the conservative German National People's Party, Hitler formed a coalition government.
This electoral success enabled the passage of the Enabling Act later that month, granting Hitler dictatorial powers.
The law effectively dismantled the Weimar Republic's democratic institutions.
Within weeks, opposition parties were banned and civil liberties suppressed.
This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Nazi totalitarian rule and a slide into World War II.
1933
Adolf Hitler
Nazi Party
Reichstag elections
Enabling Act
1946day.year
Cold War: Winston Churchill delivers his famous "Iron Curtain" speech at Westminster College, Missouri.
On March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill delivered his famous "Iron Curtain" speech at Westminster College in Missouri, marking a defining moment in early Cold War history.
Invited by U.S. President Harry S. Truman, Churchill spoke at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. He warned of a growing "Iron Curtain" descending across Europe, separating free Western nations from Soviet-controlled Eastern states. His vivid metaphor captured emerging geopolitical tensions between East and West. The speech galvanized American public opinion in favor of containing Soviet influence. It became a foundational moment for Western alliance-building, leading to the Truman Doctrine and NATO formation.
1946
Cold War
Winston Churchill
Iron Curtain
Westminster College, Missouri
1953day.year
Joseph Stalin, the longest serving leader of the Soviet Union, dies at his Volynskoe dacha in Moscow after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage four days earlier.
Soviet leader Joseph Stalin died on March 5, 1953, at his dacha in Moscow after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage days earlier.
Joseph Stalin, General Secretary of the Communist Party and de facto leader of the Soviet Union since 1924, collapsed at his Volynskoe dacha on March 1, 1953. He remained unconscious for several days and died on March 5. His funeral on Red Square attracted vast crowds fearful of voicing dissent under his regime. Stalin’s death triggered a fierce power struggle among Soviet leaders, ultimately leading to Nikita Khrushchev’s rise. The event marked the end of an era defined by purges and totalitarian control, ushering in a period of de-Stalinization.
1953
Joseph Stalin
Soviet Union
dies
Moscow
cerebral hemorrhage
1960day.year
Indonesian President Sukarno dismissed the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR), 1955 democratically elected parliament, and replaced with DPR-GR, the parliament of his own selected members.
Indonesian President Sukarno dismissed the elected parliament on March 5, 1960, installing a handpicked DPR-GR to consolidate his power.
As part of his Guided Democracy policy, Sukarno dissolved the 1955 democratically elected Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, citing inefficiency and political deadlock. On March 5, 1960, he replaced it with the DPR-GR, an assembly filled with supporters loyal to his vision. This move effectively sidelined opposition parties and centralized authority in the presidency. Critics argue it marked the end of Indonesia’s parliamentary democracy and the beginning of authoritarian rule. The restructured legislature rubber-stamped Sukarno’s policies, paving the way for further political repression.
1960
Indonesian President
Sukarno
Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR)
1965day.year
March Intifada: A Leftist uprising erupts in Bahrain against the British colonial presence.
In March 1965, Bahrain’s Leftist groups launched an uprising against British colonial rule, marking a significant moment in the Gulf’s struggle for self-determination.
The March Intifada erupted in Bahrain on 5 March 1965 as Leftist factions and workers led mass protests and strikes against the British-imposed political system.
Rooted in nationalist and labor discontent, demonstrators demanded an end to colonial authority, improved civil rights, and social reforms.
The uprising peaked with clashes between protestors and British forces, drawing international attention to the Gulf’s anti-colonial movements.
Although the rebellion was suppressed, it galvanized local political activism and laid groundwork for Bahrain’s eventual independence in 1971.
The March Intifada remains a pivotal chapter in Bahraini history, symbolizing the broader regional fight against foreign domination.
1965
March Intifada
Leftist
Bahrain
1970day.year
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons goes into effect after ratification by 43 nations.
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons came into force on 5 March 1970, establishing a global framework to prevent the spread of nuclear arms.
On 5 March 1970, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) officially entered into force.
Thanks to ratification by 43 countries, the agreement sought to curb the spread of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful atomic energy.
Signatories committed to non-proliferation, disarmament negotiations, and technology exchange for civilian purposes.
The NPT created a legal basis for international inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Over time, the treaty became the cornerstone of global nuclear order, with most UN member states now parties.
Debates over disarmament and the balance between security and civil nuclear rights continue to shape its legacy.
1970
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
2021day.year
Pope Francis begins a historical visit to Iraq amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pope Francis embarks on a historic trip to Iraq in March 2021, aiming to foster interfaith dialogue and support the local Christian community amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March 2021, Pope Francis became the first pontiff to visit Iraq, a journey originally planned for 2020 but delayed by the global COVID-19 outbreak. Arriving under tight health protocols, the Pope traveled to Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, Qaraqosh, and Mosul to meet with religious leaders, government officials, and displaced Christians. His visit emphasized themes of peace, reconciliation, and support for persecuted minorities. The pontiff held historic meetings with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to promote interreligious dialogue between Christianity and Islam. He celebrated mass at Chaldean churches and offered prayers for victims of violence and war. The tour faced logistical challenges due to pandemic restrictions but highlighted the resilience of Iraqi communities. This landmark trip sought to strengthen bonds of understanding and inspire hope across a region ravaged by conflict.
2021
Pope Francis
historical visit to Iraq
COVID-19 pandemic
2023day.year
The 2023 Estonian parliamentary election is held, with two centre-right liberal parties gaining an absolute majority for the first time.
Estonians head to the polls in 2023, resulting in a historic majority for two centre-right liberal parties.
On March 5, 2023, Estonia held its parliamentary elections to determine the composition of the Riigikogu, the nation's 101-seat legislature. Voters gave unprecedented support to two centre-right liberal parties, which collectively secured an absolute majority of seats for the first time in the country's post-Soviet history. Analysts attributed the shift to public confidence in the parties' economic policies, digital innovation initiatives, and commitment to NATO and EU integration. Campaign debates focused on issues such as healthcare reform, cybersecurity, and national defense. The outcome paved the way for streamlined coalition talks and promised greater political stability. International observers praised the transparency and efficiency of Estonia's digital voting system. The election marked a milestone in the Baltic nation's democratic evolution, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in e-governance.
2023
2023 Estonian parliamentary election