On 5 October in poetry and history
Poets born or who died on this date, plus historical events that happened on this day across history.
610 poets with calendar dates · 6,535 events with calendar dates in the catalogue
2 birthdays · 2 death anniversaries · 9 world events on 5 October
Birthdays
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Charles Bertram Johnson
5 October 1880 – 20 March 1958 (~78)
Born 5 October 1880 — would have been 146 in 2026
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Death anniversaries
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Henry Carey
c. 26 August 1687 – 5 October 1743 (~56)
Died 5 October 1743 — 283 years ago on this date
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Barry Cornwall
21 November 1787 – 5 October 1874 (~87)
Died 5 October 1874 — 152 years ago on this date
World events on this day
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First Pale Lager Brewed in Pilsen
On October 5, 1842, Bavarian brewer Josef Groll created the first batch of pale lager in Plzeň, which would later be known as Pilsner. This innovative brewing technique produced a light, crisp beer that quickly gained popularity and became one of the most influential beer styles worldwide. The introduction of Pilsner revolutionized the brewing industry and set new standards for lager production.
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Civil Rights March in Derry Ignites The Troubles
On October 5, 1968, a civil rights march in Derry, which had been banned by the Northern Ireland government, was met with a brutal police baton charge, an event broadcast worldwide. The march, organized by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, demanded an end to discrimination against Catholics in housing, employment, and voting. The violence in Derry marked the beginning of the Troubles, a thirty-year conflict that would claim over 3,500 lives.
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The Agonizing Flight of the Nez Perce
Refusing to accept forced relocation to a small reservation, Chief Joseph led approximately 750 men, women, and children of the Nez Perce tribe on an epic, 1,170-mile fighting retreat across Oregon, Idaho, and Montana toward safety in Canada. Pursued relentlessly by the United States Army, this community of families crossed rugged mountain ranges, deep canyons, and vast plains while fighting multiple brilliant rearguard actions against superior forces. Enduring starvation, freezing autumn cold, and the loss of their primary leaders, they were finally cornered just forty miles south of the Canadian border, where Chief Joseph delivered his immortal surrender speech emphasizing the physical exhaustion of his people.
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Death of Emperor Henry III
In 1056, Emperor Henry III of the Holy Roman Empire passed away in Bodfeld, Germany. His death marked a significant transition in European politics, leading to the ascension of his son, Henry IV, who would later face significant challenges during his reign, including conflicts with the papacy. This shift in leadership contributed to the ongoing power struggles between the monarchy and the church, which would resonate through literature and poetry in the ensuing centuries.
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Leprosy Segregation Laws in Medieval Europe
In 1179, the Third Lateran Council mandated the segregation of lepers from healthy communities throughout Christendom, formalizing the establishment of leprosaria and legal restrictions on those afflicted with leprosy. This decree reflected the prevailing attitudes towards disease and morality during the medieval period, reinforcing social stigmas. The segregation laws had lasting implications for the treatment of individuals with infectious diseases and shaped societal responses to illness.
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Italian Invasion of Libya
The Italian invasion of Libya in 1911 marked the beginning of Italy's colonial ambitions in Africa, as it sought to expand its empire and assert its status as a European power. This military campaign resulted in the swift conquest of Ottoman Libya, leading to the establishment of Italian control over the territory. The invasion not only intensified European colonial rivalries but also set the stage for future conflicts in the region, influencing Libya's political landscape for decades to come.
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Scythed Chariots at Battle of Cunaxa
At the Battle of Cunaxa in 401 BC, Persian scythed chariots were deployed against Greek mercenaries during Xenophon's Anabasis campaign. This battle highlighted the tactical innovations of the Persian military and the challenges faced by the Greek forces. The encounter not only influenced military strategies but also contributed to the broader narrative of Greek-Persian relations in antiquity.
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Death of Nephew Gilbert Dickinson
On October 5, 1883, Emily Dickinson's eight-year-old nephew, Gilbert Dickinson, the son of her brother Austin and sister-in-law Susan, died of typhoid fever in Amherst, Massachusetts. The child's death devastated the Dickinson family and deepened Emily's experience of grief.
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Burial at St. Martin-in-the-Fields
Henry Carey was buried on 5 October 1743 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London, marking the end of his life and literary contributions. This location is significant as it reflects his deep ties to the city.