Today in History graphic for June 5 featuring Elvis Presley, Robert F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, early AIDS awareness, and Great Lakes transportation milestones.

June 5 in History: Elvis Debuts Hound Dog, the First AIDS Cases Are Reported, and Ronald Reagan Dies

Scott Winters June 5, 2026 2 Comments

Discover what happened on June 5 in history, along with notable events that shaped medicine, entertainment, politics, and space exploration.

What Happened on June 5 in History?

Important events on this day include Elvis Presley introducing “Hound Dog” on national television, the first recognized cases of AIDS being reported by the CDC, Robert F. Kennedy being shot in Los Angeles, and the death of former President Ronald Reagan.

JUNE 5 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1783 – In Annonay, France, a hot-air balloon flight was demonstrated to the public demonstration for the first time. Brothers Joseph and Jacques Montgolfier succeeded in launching their 33-foot-diameter balloon. The unmanned balloon rose an estimated 1,500 feet and traveled about 7,500 feet before landing after a 10-minute flight.

1794 – Congress prohibited citizens from serving in any foreign armed forces.

1817 – The first Great Lakes steamer, the Frontenac, was launched.

1851 – Harriet Beecher Stow published the first installment of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in “The National Era”.

1865 – The first safe deposit vault was opened in New York, NY. The charge was $1.50 a year for every $1,000 that was stored.

1866 – Doctors met in Detroit, MI, to organize the Michigan State Medical Society.

1917 – American men began registering for the World War I draft.

1924 – Ernst F. W. Alexanderson transmitted the first facsimile message across the Atlantic Ocean.

1927 – Johnny Weissmuller set two world records in swimming events. Weissmuller set marks in the 100-yard, and 200-yard, free-style swimming competition.

1933 – President Roosevelt signed the bill that took the U.S. off of the gold standard, nullifying the right of creditors to demand payment in gold.

1946 – The first medical sponges were first offered for sale in Detroit, MI.

1956 – Elvis Presley introduced his new single, “Hound Dog”, on “The Milton Berle Show”, shocking audiences with his suggestive hip movements.

1967 – The National Hockey League (NHL) awarded three new franchises: The Minnesota North Stars (later the Dallas Stars), the California Golden Seals (no longer in existence) and the Los Angeles Kings.

1968 – Robert F. Kennedy, a Presidential candidate, was shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, CA, by Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian. Kennedy died the next day.

1981 – In the U.S., the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that five men in Los Angeles were suffering from a rare pneumonia found in patients with weakened immune systems. They were the first recognized cases of what later became known as AIDS.

1987 – Ted Koppel and guests discussed the topic of AIDS for four hours on ABC-TV’s “Nightline”.

1987 – The movie “Harry and the Hendersons”, about a Seattle family’s encounter with Bigfoot, opened in theaters in the United States. It would later become a TV show which ran from 1991-1993.

1989 – The Toronto Sky Dome opened. The Blue Jays lost to Milwaukee 53.

1995 – The dating show “Singled Out” aired on MTV for the first time. Each episode featured a group of 50 men and a group of 50 women competing for a date with one main contestant of the opposite sex. The original hosts were Chris Hardwick and Jenny McCarthy. When McCarthy left the show in early 1997 to star in her own sitcom, “Jenny”, MTV hired Carmen Electra to replace her for the last season and a half. The show ended in 1998

1998 – A strike began at a General Motors Corp. parts factory in Flint, MI, that closed five other assembly plants and idled workers across the U.S. for seven weeks.

1998 – The movie “The Truman Show”, starring Jim Carrey, opened in theaters in the United States.

1998 – Volkswagen AG won approval to buy Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for $700 million, outbidding BMW’s $554 million offer.

2001 – Amazon.com announced that it would begin selling personal computers later in the year.

2002 – The Space Shuttle Endeavor was launched. The Shuttle would deliver a new crew to the International Space Station Alpha and bring the old space station crew back to Earth.

2004 – Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, died at age 93. He had long suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

2004 – The U.S.S. Jimmy Carter was christened in the U.S. Navy in Groton, CT.

2024 – The Boeing Starliner was launched on its first crewed flight , carrying astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams to the International Space Station.

2025 – The Nintendo Switch 2 video game console was released worldwide.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JUNE 5:

Whitfield Diffie – 82 years old (1944) – Cryptographer and academic

John Carlos – 81 years old (1945) – Runner and football player

André Lacroix – 81 years old (1945) – Canadian-American ice hockey player and coach

Laurie Anderson – 79 years old (1947) – Singer-songwriter and violinist

Freddie Stone – 79 years old (1947) – Singer, guitarist, and pastor

Suze Orman – 75 years old (1951) – Financial adviser, author, and television host

Kathleen Kennedy – 73 years old (1953) – Film producer, co-founded Amblin Entertainment

Nancy Stafford – 72 years old (1954) – Model and actress

Kenny G – 70 years old (1956) – Saxophonist, songwriter, and producer

Jeff Garlin – 64 years old (1962) – Actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter

Lisa Cholodenko – 62 years old (1964) – Director and screenwriter

Rick Riordan – 62 years old (1964) – Author

Michael E. Brown – 61 years old (1965) – Astronomer and author

Alfie Turcotte – 61 years old (1965) – Ice hockey player

Joe DeLoach – 59 years old (1967) – Sprinter

Ron Livingston – 59 years old (1967) – Actor

Brian McKnight – 57 years old (1969) – Singer-songwriter, producer, and actor

Alex Mooney – 55 years old (1971) – Politician

Mark Wahlberg – 55 years old (1971) – Model, actor, producer, and rapper

Lamon Brewster – 53 years old (1973) – Boxer

Russ Ortiz – 52 years old (1974) – Baseball player

Zydrunas Ilgauskas – 51 years old (1975) – Lithuanian-American basketball player

Joe Gatto – 50 years old (1976) – Comedian

Torry Holt – 50 years old (1976) – Football player

Liza Weil – 49 years old (1977) – Actress

Nick Kroll – 48 years old (1978) – Actor and comedian

Pete Wentz – 47 years old (1979) – Singer-songwriter, bass player, actor, and fashion designer

Jason White – 47 years old (1979) – Race car driver

Marques Colston – 43 years old (1983) – Football player

Jeremy Abbott – 41 years old (1985) – Figure skater

Vernon Gholston – 40 years old (1986) – Football player

Marcus Thornton – 39 years old (1987) – Basketball player

Cam Atkinson – 37 years old (1989) – Ice hockey player

Ninja – 35 years old (1991) – Professional gamer

Sam Darnold – 29 years old (1997) – Football player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JUNE 5:

National Fish and Chip Day: Celebrate National Fish and Chip Day by enjoying this classic comfort food, discovering its working-class roots, and exploring tasty global variations.
National Start Over Day: Discover how National Start Over Day inspires fresh beginnings, personal renewal, and goal-setting with reflection, decluttering, learning, and reconnecting.
National Moonshine Day: Discover the rebellious roots of American moonshine, from secret stills to modern craft distilleries, and explore spirited, creative ways to celebrate.
Random Acts of Cardness Day: Celebrate Random Acts of Cardness Day by sending thoughtful cards, brightening mailboxes, lifting spirits, and spreading kindness one heartfelt message at a time.
National Gingerbread Day: Celebrate National Gingerbread Day with baking, decorating, parties and crafts. Discover gingerbread’s history, fun facts, and creative ways to join in.
National Veggie Burger Day: Celebrate National Veggie Burger Day with flavorful plant-based patties, eco-friendly grilling ideas, DIY recipes, and fun cookoff inspiration for all ages.
World Environment Day: Discover the purpose of World Environment Day, its UN-backed history, themes, and practical ways anyone can take action to protect the planet.
Hot Air Balloon Day: Celebrate Hot Air Balloon Day by honoring the history, science, and magic of balloon flight with rides, crafts, movies, and sky-high inspiration for all ages.
Wine Days Festival in Armenia: The Wine Days Festival in Armenia is a lively celebration of the country's rich wine culture centered in the heart of Yerevan. For a few days, the city's streets buzz with excitement as local and international visitors gather to enjoy over 500 varieties of wine from Armenia's top producers. How to...
HIV Long-Term Survivors Day: HIV Long-Term Survivors Day honors the resilience, stories, and advocacy of people aging with HIV, raising awareness, fighting stigma, and inspiring community support.
National Sausage Roll Day: Celebrate National Sausage Roll Day by enjoying flaky, savory pastry snacks, learning their British roots, trying new recipes, and sharing them at parties and picnics.
Medicare Fraud Prevention Week: Securing healthcare integrity, ensuring resources reach those in need, and safeguarding against deceptive practices for a healthier community.
America The Beautiful Week: America The Beautiful Week lights up the first week of June. It's a special time to appreciate the song "America the Beautiful" and to honor the love for the country. This week encourages us to reflect on the natural beauty and patriotic spirit that defines America! How to Celebrate America...
National CPR and AED Awareness Week: Have you ever needed to use CPR or an AED in an emergency? National CPR and AED Awareness Week, celebrated during this time in early June, shines a spotlight on the importance of these life-saving skills. This special week is all about educating people on how to respond to a cardiac...
National Lincoln Loud Day: National Lincoln Loud Day celebrates the spirited boy at the heart of Nickelodeon's animated series, The Loud House. Lincoln Loud, the only son among ten sisters, navigates the chaos of his bustling household with creativity and humor. His adventures, often filled with mischief and heartfelt moments, have endeared him to audiences...
Canadian Environment Week: Canadian Environment Week is a lively celebration highlighting Canada's commitment to the environment. This special event invites everyone to appreciate nature, raise awareness, and take action to protect the planet. This week coincides with global events like World Environment Day and Clean Air Day, making it a perfect time for...
International Day For The Fight Against Illegal Unreported And Unregulated Fishing: Oceans feed millions, power economies, and balance the planet’s climate. But illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing threatens it all. These harmful practices ignore the rules, cheat honest fishers, and strip marine ecosystems bare. Massive fishing vessels slip through loopholes, leaving behind empty waters and broken communities. Entire food chains suffer...
Biomedical Science Day: Each year on this important day, the Institute of Biomedical Scientists brings a wide range of people together to showcase laboratories, share their breakthroughs, and spread awareness about this essential professional role which is right at the center of healthcare! Biomedical Science Day recognizes and promotes this profession that is...
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National Donut Day: Celebrate National Donut Day by enjoying delicious donuts, honoring their World War I roots, and supporting charities that carry on this sweet tradition.
British Tomato Fortnight: British Tomato Fortnight is an exciting time that celebrates the peak season for homegrown tomatoes in the UK. This event highlights the wonderful flavors and health benefits of British tomatoes, encouraging everyone to enjoy this versatile fruit in various dishes! How to Celebrate British Tomato Fortnight Host a Tomato Tasting...
Stepparents Week: Stepparents Week is a special time to honor those who step into the role of parenthood with open hearts. Celebrated anually, this event recognizes the vital contributions of stepmoms and stepdads. It's all about the love, guidance, and care they provide to children, who are not their own by birth...