Fact 1: Birthday of the Swimwear Commonly Known as the Bikini
July 5, 1946, marked the official unveiling of the two-piece swimwear named the bikini. This revolution in swimwear was introduced by a French designer named Louis Reard in Paris. Its name was inspired by the atomic test that took place in Bikini Atoll a few days before the swimsuit was launched, signifying its 'explosive' effect on the fashion industry.
Fact 2: Independence Day of Several Countries
July 5 is also a celebration of independence in multiple countries. It is revered as Independence Day in Venezuela (from Spain in 1811), Algeria (from France in 1962), and Cape Verde (from Portugal in 1975). Each of these countries has distinct customs to commemorate this day, making July 5 a day of global celebration.
Fact 3: The Famous Rock Band 'Spice Girls' was Formed
Would you believe that the much-celebrated pop culture phenomenon, Spice Girls, was formed on July 5? Led by an advertisement in 'The Stage' magazine, auditions took place in 1994. Posh, Baby, Scary, Sporty, and Ginger Spice would ultimately shape the music industry for years to come, beginning their journey on this day.
Fact 4: The First Person to Walk Both the North and South Poles
On July 5, 1990, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, along with Mike Stroud, became the first individuals to reach both the North and South Poles by foot. This feat remains one of the most significant milestones in polar exploration history.
Fact 5: President Zachary Taylor's Accident
July 5, 1850, was an unfortunate day for the twelfth president of the United States, Zachary Taylor. After consuming copious amounts of cherries and iced milk at a Fourth of July celebration, he fell ill. The incident eventually led to his death five days later, marking this as an infamous day in presidential history.
Fact 6: Amazon.com Sells Its First Book
Amazon.com, the ecommerce giant, sold its first book on July 5, 1995. The book was Douglas Hofstadter's "Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies: Computer Models of the Fundamental Mechanisms of Thought".
Fact 7: The Birth of the Post-It Note
On July 5, 1977, American stationery company 3M launched its new product: the "Press 'n Peel" bookmark, which we now recognize as the Post-it Note. These little yellow sticky notes have since become an instrumental part of office supplies all over the world.
Fact 8: The Unveiling of the Greenpeace Vessel “Rainbow Warrior II”
July 5, 1989, saw the launch of iconic vessel "Rainbow Warrior II" by the global environmental organization Greenpeace. This ship was built to replace the original Rainbow Warrior, which was sunk during a bombing incident in 1985 carried out by the French government.
Fact 9: New World Record for Eating Hotdogs
On July 5, 2017, Joey Chestnut set a new world record by eating 72 hotdogs (including the buns) in just 10 minutes during the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest held in Coney Island.
Fact 10: The Tennis Hall of Fame
July 5, 1954, marked the establishment of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Every year, prominent figures in tennis are celebrated and inducted into this prestigious hall.
Fact 11: The Flaming Lips Break Guinness World Record
On July 5, 2012, American rock band, The Flaming Lips, broke the Guinness World Record by performing eight concerts within a 24-hour period in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Fact 12: The Birth of Trivial Pursuit
For trivia enthusiasts worldwide, the popular board game Trivial Pursuit was copyrighted on July 5, 1979. The game has gone on to find a global audience and continues to be a staple of game nights around the world.
Fact 13: Johnny Depp's Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
The iconic Hollywood actor Johnny Depp received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 5, 1999. This day marked a significant accolade in the actor's prestigious career. Honoring him in this way recognizes his outstanding contributions to the film industry.
Fact 14: Renowned Guitarist Inducted into Walk of Fame
Carlos Santana, one of the finest guitarists of his generation, received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 5, 1981. This honor signifies his momentous influence and contributions to the world of music.
Fact 15: The Birth of Robert K. Merton
July 5, 1910, marked the birth anniversary of Robert K. Merton, one of the pioneers in the field of sociology. Merton is known for laying the framework for modern sociological speculation and introduced concepts like 'self-fulfilling prophecy' and 'role model'.
Fact 16: Bottle Cap Patents
On July 5, 1892, the crown cork bottle cap with a cork seal was patented by William Painter. This invention revolutionized the beverage industry and is still widely used today.
Fact 17: The Discovery of Niagara Falls
French explorer Samuel de Champlain's men discovered the majestic Niagara Falls on July 5, 1609. This natural wonder formed over 12,000 years ago continues to awe millions of visitors each year with its sheer beauty and power.
Fact 18: The Existence of Black Holes Confirmed
On July 5, 1964, a by-product of star evolution, black holes, were proven to exist by British theoretical physicist, Roger Penrose. This marked a significant breakthrough in the field of astrophysics.
Fact 19: Record-Breaking Flight Around the World
Steve Fossett, an American businessman and adventurer, completed a record-breaking nonstop flight around the world in a hot air balloon on July 5, 2002. His journey lasted 13 days, 8 hours, and 33 minutes.
Fact 20: Wrigley Company Founded
On July 5, 1891, William Wrigley, Jr. established The Wrigley Company, which would become well known for its chewing gum. Today, it's one of the most significant confectionery companies globally, making this date quite an important one in the candy industry.