1698day.year
In an effort to Westernize his nobility, Tsar Peter I of Russia imposes a tax on beards for all men except the clergy and peasantry.
In 1698, Tsar Peter the Great introduced a beard tax to encourage Western-European fashion among Russian nobility.
Seeking to modernize Russia, Peter the Great traveled to Europe to study shipbuilding and culture.
Upon his return, he sought to Westernize Russian society, targeting the deeply rooted tradition of beard-wearing.
On September 5, 1698, he imposed a tax on beards, exempting only the clergy and peasantry.
Nobles who paid the levy received a medal as proof of compliance, blending punishment with incentive.
The beard tax symbolized Peter’s broader reforms, challenging old customs to propel Russia toward European norms.
1698
Tsar
Peter I of Russia
1791day.year
Olympe de Gouges writes the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen.
Olympe de Gouges pens the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen, challenging French society to recognize women's equality.
On September 5, 1791, French activist Olympe de Gouges published the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen. A direct response to the male-centric Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789), she asserted that women are born free and equal in rights. De Gouges outlined thirty-five articles demanding women's access to education, property rights, and political participation. Despite its groundbreaking call for gender equality, many contemporaries dismissed or condemned her work. It marked one of the earliest formal advocacy documents for women's rights during the French Revolution. Though de Gouges faced significant hostility and ultimately execution, her Declaration influenced later feminist movements and remains a foundational text in gender equality debates.
1791
Olympe de Gouges
Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen
1882day.year
The first United States Labor Day parade is held in New York City.
On September 5, 1882, the first official Labor Day parade was held in New York City, celebrating American workers and the growing labor movement.
On September 5, 1882, thousands of workers and union members marched along Fifth Avenue in New York City during the inaugural Labor Day parade. The event was organized by the Central Labor Union to honor the social and economic contributions of American workers. Floats, marching bands, and colorful banners paraded through the streets, drawing large crowds. Speeches by prominent labor leaders highlighted calls for fair wages, safer working conditions, and reasonable hours. This groundbreaking celebration set the foundation for Labor Day to become a federal holiday in 1894.
1882
Labor Day
1981day.year
The first women arrive at what becomes Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp in the UK.
On September 5, 1981, women activists established the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp outside an RAF base in the UK to protest nuclear weapons.
A group of women marched to RAF Greenham Common to oppose the deployment of US cruise missiles on British soil. They set up a continuous, women-only protest camp that evolved into a symbol of nuclear disarmament and feminist activism. The camp organized peace vigils, human chains, and creative demonstrations to raise awareness. Over nearly two decades, it drew international attention and inspired similar movements worldwide. The Greenham Common protest highlighted the intersection of gender and peace activism. Its legacy endures as a powerful example of grassroots organizing and nonviolent resistance. The site remains an important part of peace history in the UK.
1981
Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp