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5th May

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1862: Cinco de Mayo


During the French-Mexican War, an outnumbered Mexican army under General Ignacio Zaragoza defeats a major French force at Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east central Mexico. Success at the Battle of Puebla was a great moral victory for the Mexican government and symbolized the country's ability to defend its sovereignty against threat by a powerful foreign nation. In 1861, French Emperor Napoleon III ordered an invasion of Mexico with the intention of carving a dependent empire out of Mexican territory. After six years of Mexican resistance, France ended its imperial adventure and withdrew. Today, Mexicans celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla as Cinco de Mayo, a national holiday in Mexico.

2005

The Labour government in Britain secures a historic third consecutive term in office.

1981

In Northern Ireland, IRA prisoner Bobby Sands dies in the Maze prison, Belfast after spending 66 days on hunger strike to try and obtain political prisoner status.

1980

In Britain, the SAS storm the terrorist-occupied Iranian embassy in London. Four gunmen are killed in the attack as all 19 hostages are rescued.

1967

In America, the first British made satellite, Ariel 3, is launched into space.

1961

Astronaut Alan Shephard becomes the first American in space aboard Freedom 7 - his spacecraft launched 23 days after Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin had become the first man to orbit the earth.

1955

The world-famous American virologist, Dr Jonas Salk, witnesses a ceremonial polio vaccination in London, England.

1955

The formation of West Germany free from Allied occupation. 

1949

The Council of Europe is formed.

1945

The Second World War: In Austria, Mauthausen concentration camp is liberated.

1877

Sitting Bull and a band of followers cross into Canada hoping to find safe haven from the U.S. Army.

1821

Napoleon Bonaparte dies in exile in St. Helena.

1789

In France, the Estates-General meet’s for the first time in 150 years.

1640

In England, the Short Parliament is disbanded by King Charles I.

1494

Christopher Columbus lands in Jamaica.

1260

Kublai Khan becomes ruler of the Mongol Empire.

1942

Country & Western singer Tammy Wynette.

1913

American actor Tyronne Power.

1912

American actress Alice Faye.

1908

English actor Rex Harrison.

1904

British champion jockey Gordon Richards

1818

German philosopher and author Karl Marx.

1981

IRA hunger-striker Bobby Sands dies on the 66th day of his protest.

1821

Napoleon Bonaparte dies in exile on the island of St Helena.