1809day.year
Mary Kies becomes the first woman awarded a U.S. patent, for a technique of weaving straw with silk and thread.
Mary Kies became the first woman to receive a U.S. patent in 1809 for her innovative weaving technique.
On May 5, 1809, Mary Kies was granted the first U.S. patent awarded to a woman.
Her invention detailed a novel technique for weaving straw with silk and thread.
This patent recognized women’s potential contribution to innovation despite societal constraints.
Kies’s achievement paved the way for future female inventors in America.
Her work was celebrated by contemporaries, including President Thomas Jefferson.
Today, she is remembered as a trailblazer in the history of American patent law.
1809
Mary Kies
patent
weaving
straw
silk
thread
1905day.year
The trial in the Stratton Brothers case begins in London, England; it marks the first time that fingerprint evidence is used to gain a conviction for murder.
The trial in London marks the first use of fingerprint evidence to convict a murderer in the Stratton Brothers case.
On May 5, 1905, the high-profile trial of Henry and Francis Stratton commenced at the Old Bailey in London. The prosecution introduced fingerprint analysis to link Henry Stratton to the crime scene in the infamous road murder case. This pioneering application of forensic science demonstrated the reliability of fingerprint identification. The groundbreaking evidence played a crucial role in securing a conviction for murder. The case set a legal precedent that would revolutionize criminal investigations worldwide.
1905
Stratton Brothers case
fingerprint
1961day.year
Project Mercury: Alan Shepard becomes the first American to travel into outer space, on a sub-orbital flight.
Alan Shepard became the first American in space with a sub-orbital flight on May 5, 1961, under Project Mercury.
On May 5, 1961, NASA astronaut Alan Shepard blasted off aboard Freedom 7 as part of Project Mercury.
He became the first American to travel into space on a 15-minute sub-orbital flight.
Shepard reached an altitude of 187 kilometers and experienced weightlessness before splashing down in the Atlantic.
His flight restored US prestige in the space race after Soviet successes earlier that year.
The mission demonstrated critical capabilities for human spaceflight and paved the way for orbital missions.
Shepard's achievement remains a landmark in American space exploration history.
1961
Project Mercury
Alan Shepard
flight
2023day.year
The World Health Organization declares the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as a global health emergency.
The WHO declares the end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency, heralding a transition to new management of the disease.
On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organization officially removed COVID-19 from its list of Public Health Emergencies of International Concern. The decision was based on widespread vaccination coverage, reduced hospitalizations, and global surveillance data indicating a lower risk of health systems being overwhelmed. Member states were encouraged to integrate COVID-19 monitoring into routine public health activities rather than emergency frameworks. The announcement marked a symbolic end to the pandemic’s most acute phase, even as the virus continued to circulate globally. Health experts warned that vigilance and booster campaigns remained essential to prevent future surges. The end of the emergency status also impacted funding mechanisms and international cooperation initiatives. The shift signaled a new chapter in managing a virus that reshaped societies and economies worldwide.
2023
World Health Organization
COVID-19 pandemic