December 05

On December 5, 1766, Scottish auctioneer James Christie conducted his first auction at 8 King Street, St James's, London, offering items from the estate of the landscape painter Richard Wilson. Christie's innovative approach to selling art and antiquities attracted elite clientele and quickly gained a reputation for trust and expertise in valuations. Through meticulously catalogued sales and a growing network of collectors, Christie's became a societal event that blended commerce with culture. Over two centuries later, Christie's remains a global leader in fine art and luxury markets, shaping trends and commanding record-breaking sales. The inaugural 1766 sale marked the birth of a lasting institution in the world of art commerce.

On December 5, 1848, President James K. Polk addressed Congress to announce that large amounts of gold had been found at Sutter's Mill in California. His confirmation ended years of speculation and catapulted news of the discovery into every corner of the United States. Polk's message set off the California Gold Rush, as hundreds of thousands of 'Forty-Niners' embarked on arduous journeys by land and sea in search of fortune. The Gold Rush transformed California's economy and demographics, hastening its admission as a state in 1850. It also had profound environmental and social impacts, reshaping the American West and fueling debates over slavery, land rights, and immigration.

On December 5, 1955, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) officially merge. The unification resolves years of rivalry, creating a single, powerful voice for American workers. Under the leadership of George Meany and Walter Reuther, the new AFL–CIO represents over 15 million members. The merger strengthens collective bargaining power and influences national labor policy. The AFL–CIO becomes a key force in shaping labor rights, workplace standards, and social legislation in the United States.