1841day.year
Thomas Cook organises the first package excursion, from Leicester to Loughborough.
Thomas Cook organizes the world's first package excursion, transporting a group by train from Leicester to Loughborough in 1841.
In 1841, cabinetmaker-turned-entrepreneur Thomas Cook chartered a special train for 570 temperance campaigners from Leicester to Loughborough.
This journey, advertised as a 'pleasure excursion,' included tickets, meals, and accommodations at a fixed price.
Cook's innovation addressed growing demand for affordable leisure travel amid expanding railway networks.
The success of this one-day trip spurred the creation of Thomas Cook & Son, the world's first tourism company.
Over subsequent decades, Cook pioneered guidebooks, hotel bookings, and international tours.
His operations laid the foundation for modern mass tourism and reshaped how people traveled.
Today, July 5 is often cited as the birth date of organized leisure travel.
1841
Thomas Cook
Leicester
Loughborough
1937day.year
Spam, the luncheon meat, is introduced into the market by the Hormel Foods Corporation.
Hormel Foods introduces Spam to the market in 1937, launching the canned luncheon meat that would become a global staple.
On July 5, 1937, Hormel Foods Corporation unveiled Spam, a shelf-stable canned pork and ham product designed for convenience and long-term storage. Marketed as an affordable protein source during the Great Depression, Spam gained traction quickly. During World War II, it became a key ration item for Allied troops when fresh meat was scarce. After the war, Spam’s popularity soared in regions such as Hawaii, Guam, and South Korea, where it became part of local cuisine. Over decades, Spam evolved into a cultural phenomenon, inspiring festivals, cookbooks, and even a dedicated Spam Museum in Minnesota.
1937
Spam
Hormel Foods Corporation
1994day.year
Jeff Bezos founds Amazon.
On July 5, 1994, Jeff Bezos founded Amazon as an online bookseller, laying the foundation for a future global e-commerce giant.
Jeff Bezos launched Amazon.com from his garage in Bellevue, Washington, initially focusing on selling books over the Internet. His vision of an 'everything store' drove rapid expansion into new product categories within months of launch. Bezos secured venture capital funding and reinvested profits into technology and logistics, pioneering innovations like one-click ordering and customer reviews. Amazon's early growth disrupted traditional retail and set new standards for online shopping. Over time, the company diversified into cloud computing, entertainment, and global marketplaces. Amazon's humble beginnings on July 5, 1994, marked the start of a revolution in commerce and technology.
1994
Jeff Bezos
Amazon.
2012day.year
The Shard in London is inaugurated as the tallest building in Europe, with a height of 310 metres (1,020 ft).
London’s Shard opens as Europe’s tallest skyscraper at 310 metres.
On July 5, 2012, The Shard officially opens, dominating London’s skyline at 310 metres (1,020 ft) high and claiming the title of Europe’s tallest building. Designed by architect Renzo Piano, the glass-clad tower houses offices, restaurants, a hotel, and a viewing gallery with panoramic city views. The inauguration marks a milestone in modern architecture and urban development, symbolizing London’s economic strength and global status. Its construction involved advanced engineering techniques and sustainable design elements. The Shard quickly becomes an iconic landmark and a major tourist attraction.
2012
The Shard
tallest building in Europe