Today in History graphic for August 5 featuring the Mayflower, American Bandstand with Dick Clark, NASA's Juno spacecraft, the Statue of Liberty, and Amtrak's Pere Marquette service.

August 5 in History: The Mayflower Departs, “American Bandstand” Goes National, and NASA Launches Juno

Scott Winters August 5, 2026 1 Comment

Discover what happened on August 5 in history as remarkable achievements, historic milestones, technological advances, and unforgettable moments helped shape the world we know today.

What Happened on August 5 in History?

Important events on this day include the Mayflower’s departure from England, American Bandstand making its national television debut, NASA launching the Juno mission to Jupiter, the Statue of Liberty’s cornerstone being laid, and Amtrak beginning passenger rail service between Grand Rapids and Chicago.

AUGUST 5 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1620 – The Mayflower departed Southampton, England, on its first attempt to sail to North America. Mechanical problems with its companion ship, the Speedwell, forced the expedition to turn back before setting out again several weeks later.

1833 – The village of Chicago, IL was incorporated. The population at the time was approximately 250.

1861 – In order to help pay for the war effort, the U.S. Federal government levied its first income tax. The tax was 3% of all incomes over $800. It was rescinded in 1872.

1882 – The Standard Oil Company of New Jersey was established.

1884 – The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty was laid on Bedloe’s Island (now Liberty Island) in New York Harbor.

1914 – The first electric traffic signal system was placed into service at Euclid Avenue and East 105th Street in Cleveland, Ohio.

1921 – The first play-by-play broadcast of a baseball game was done by Harold Arlin, on KDKA Radio, in Pittsburgh, PA. The game was between the Pirates and Philadelphia.

1923 – Henry Sullivan became the first American to swim across the English Channel.

1924 – In the New York “Daily News”, the comic strip “Little Orphan Annie,” by Harold Gray, debuted.

1926 – Harry Houdini spent 91 minutes underwater in a sealed tank before escaping.

1957 – TV’s “American Bandstand”, hosted by Dick Clark, made its network debut on ABC. Until this day the show had been a local show in Philadelphia, PA since 1952. The program helped launch the careers of countless recording artists and became one of television’s most influential music shows.

1958 – Herbert Hoover eclipsed John Adams as having the longest retirement of any former President until that time. Hoover would live another 6 years. His record 31 years, 7 months, and 16 days has since been eclipsed by Jimmy Carter.

1960 – For the first time two major league baseball clubs traded managers. Detroit traded Jimmy Dykes for Cleveland’s Joe Gordon.

1966 – In New York, NY, groundbreaking began for the construction of the original World Trade Center.

1969 – The Mariner 7 made its closest flyby of Mars. Photographs and other data were sent back to Earth.

1974 – Facing almost certain impeachment over the Watergate scandal, President Richard Nixon announced he expected to leave office.

1974 – The comic strip “Tank McNamara” premiered in 75 newspapers.

1975 – Stevie Wonder signed a $37 million deal with Motown Records, the biggest at that time.

1980 – The Osmonds split up.

1981 – Olivia Newton-John received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1981 – President Ronald Reagan fired 11,259 striking air-traffic controllers who ignored his order to return to work.

1983 – The movie “Risky Business”, starring Tom Cruise, was released in theaters.

1984 – Amtrak began rail service between Grand Rapids, MI and Chicago, IL with the Pere Marquette train route.

1998 – The TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” debuted on TV.

2008 – IBM received a patent for storing customers’ “paper or plastic” preferences on grocery store loyalty cards.

2009 – Google announced its acquisition of On2 Technologies, its first purchase of a publicly traded company.

2011 – NASA announced that its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter had captured photographic evidence of possible liquid water on Mars during warm seasons.

2011 – The first solar-powered spacecraft to go to Jupiter, Juno, was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

2016 – The Summer Olympic Games opened in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON AUGUST 5:

Wendell Berry – 92 years old (1934) – Novelist, short story writer, poet, and essayist

Bobby Braddock – 86 years old (1940) – Country music songwriter, musician, and producer

Airto Moreira – 85 years old (1941) – Brazilian-American drummer and composer

Joe Boyd – 84 years old (1942) – Record producer, founded Hannibal Records

Bruce Coslet – 80 years old (1946) – Football player and coach

Shirley Ann Jackson – 80 years old (1946) – Physicist

Erika Slezak – 80 years old (1946) – Actress

Bernie Carbo – 79 years old (1947) – Baseball player

France A. Córdova – 79 years old (1947) – Astrophysicist and academic

David Hungate – 78 years old (1948) – Bass guitarist, producer, and arranger

Eddie Ojeda – 71 years old (1955) – Guitarist and songwriter

Maureen McCormick – 70 years old (1956) – Actress

Pat Smear – 67 years old (1959) – Guitarist and songwriter

David Baldacci – 66 years old (1960) – Lawyer and author

Mark O'Connor – 65 years old (1961) – Violinist/fiddler and composer

Patrick Ewing – 64 years old (1962) – Jamaican-American basketball player and coach

Otis Thorpe – 64 years old (1962) – Basketball player

Jeff Coffin – 61 years old (1965) – Saxophonist and composer

James Gunn – 60 years old (1966) – Filmmaker

Jonathan Silverman – 60 years old (1966) – Actor and producer

Matthew Caws – 59 years old (1967) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Funkmaster Flex – 58 years old (1968) – DJ, radio and television host, rapper, and record producer

John Olerud – 58 years old (1968) – Baseball player

Christian Olde Wolbers – 54 years old (1972) – Belgian-American guitarist, songwriter, and producer

Eric Hinske – 49 years old (1977) – Baseball player and coach

Mark Mulder – 49 years old (1977) – Baseball player and sportscaster

Jesse Williams – 46 years old (1980) – Actor, director, producer, and political activist

Carl Crawford – 45 years old (1981) – Baseball player

Travie McCoy – 45 years old (1981) – Rapper, singer, and songwriter

Lolo Jones – 44 years old (1982) – Hurdler

Pete Sell – 44 years old (1982) – Mixed martial artist

Paula Creamer – 40 years old (1986) – Golfer

Olivia Holt – 29 years old (1997) – Actress and singer

Anthony Edwards – 25 years old (2001) – Basketball player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR AUGUST 5:

National Oyster Day: He was a brave man who first ate an oyster. Nevertheless, these slimy mollusks are a delicious delicacy, evoking the taste of the sea and open salt air.
Blogger Day: Create your own blog on one of the oldest blogging sites, Blogger. Document your day, review books, share recipes, and connect with other bloggers.
National Underwear Day: Embrace your body by dressing it up in your favorite underwear. Parade around the house, or if you’re feeling confident, post a picture on social media.
National Dashcam Day: National Dashcam Day grabs attention by spotlighting a small device with a big impact: the dashboard camera. These cameras, mounted in vehicles, capture real-time footage of the road. Their videos can be eye-opening, sometimes showing breathtaking escapes or surprising roadside events. This day underscores the importance of dashcams in promoting safer...
National Work Like A Dog Day: Grit your teeth and spend one day working like a dog to reach your goals, renew your motivation, and boost your productivity in all areas of your life.
Professional Engineers Day: Experts mastering the craft, solving complex challenges, and shaping the future through innovative solutions in engineering excellence.
National Couscous Day: National Couscous Day brings people together through the love of couscous, a versatile dish that pairs well with almost anything. This celebration highlights couscous's ability to blend into various culinary traditions around the world. It's a staple food that represents hospitality and family in many cultures, particularly in North Africa. Couscous...
International Traffic Light Day: Managing urban intersections, guiding vehicles with synchronized signals, ensuring smooth flow, and enhancing road safety for commuters.
National Eisteddfod of Wales: The National Eisteddfod of Wales is a vibrant celebration of Welsh culture, bringing together the best of the nation's music, literature, and performance arts. Each year, the festival moves to a different location within Wales, alternating between the north and south. This week-long event attracts thousands of visitors who immerse...
National Psychiatric Technician Appreciation Day: National Psychiatric Technician Appreciation Day spotlights the vital role that psychiatric technicians play in mental health care. These professionals dedicate themselves to supporting individuals with mental health challenges, offering them care, empathy, and understanding. Their hard work often goes unnoticed, making this day a crucial moment to celebrate their significant...
Crayfish Party: Crayfish Party is a lively and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family. This event marks the end of summer, bringing people together for a joyful feast. Tables are often set with bright decorations, and the air is filled with laughter. The menu features cooked and seasoned crayfish. The atmosphere...
World Breastfeeding Week: Nurturing a bond like no other, this natural act of love fosters the health and well-being of both mother and child.
Farmers Market Week: Farmers Market Week is a vibrant celebration of local markets across the country. It's a time when communities come together to appreciate the fresh, locally grown produce and unique handmade goods that these markets offer. The energy at these markets during this special week is contagious as people of all...
Stop on Red Week: Crossing at a red light has caused countless fatalities, many of them completely avoidable. These aren’t rare, freak accidents—they happen in everyday traffic, on ordinary roads, during normal routines. Someone rushes to beat the light, doesn’t see the pedestrian, or assumes they’ll make it in time. In a split second...
International Clown Week: Exploring playful characters, spreading joy with colorful costumes, and delighting audiences with whimsical performances and antics.
Simplify Your Life Week: Embracing minimalism, decluttering spaces, and focusing on what truly matters, finding peace in simplicity and mindful living.
National Exercise With Your Child Week: Encouraging outdoor play, fostering healthy habits, and instilling a love for movement in children for lifelong well-being.
International Assistance Dog Week: International Assistance Dog Week is a special time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the hardworking dogs that change lives. These dogs provide essential support to individuals with disabilities, helping them navigate daily challenges. Their incredible skills, combined with their loyal companionship, make them invaluable to those who rely on them...