December 5

Today in History
• 1360 - The French Franc is created
• 1456 - Earthquake strikes Naples; about 35,000 die
• 1766 - London auctioneers Christie's hold their 1st sale
• 1776 - 1st U.S. fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa (William and Mary College), forms
• 1848 - President Polk triggers Gold Rush of '49, confirms California gold discovery
• 1854 - Aaron Allen of Boston patents folding theater chair
• 1861 - Gatling gun patented
• 1876 - Daniel Stillson (Mass) patents 1st practical pipe wrench


Holidays - Traditional and Obscure
• Bathtub Party Day
• Celebrate Shelter Pets Day
• Discovery Day (Haiti)
• International Volunteer Day
• Krampusnacht
• National AFL-CIO Day
• National Father's Day in Thailand
• Walt Disney Day

Birthdays
• 1377 - Jianwen, 2nd Emperor of the Ming Empire (1398-1402)
• 1661 - Robert Haley, earl of Oxford/English premier, Whig, 1710-14
• 1443 - Julius II, Italian Pope (1503-13) and patron of Michelangelo
• 1782 - Martin Van Buren, 8th President of the United States (Democrat: 1837-41)
• 1861 - Armando Diaz, Italian marshal and minister of War (1922-24)
• 1863 - Paul Painlevé, French Prime Minister (1917, 1925)
• 1879 - Clyde Cessna, American aviator and airplane manufacturer
• 1894 - C. R. Swart, South African politician (1st State President of South Africa)