Today in History: Five U.S. Navy aircraft disappear over the Atlantic in 1945, contributing to the “Bermuda Triangle” urban legend

The following are some of the major notable events that occurred on December 5 throughout history:

1484 — Pope Innocent VIII issues a papal bull condemning witchcraft, authorising inquisitorial action against alleged practitioners in German lands.

1766 — Christie’s holds its first sale in London, founding what would become one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious art auction houses.

1933 — The Twenty‑first Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified in the U.S., formally ending nationwide Prohibition.

1936 — The Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic is officially constituted as a full republic of the USSR under the new Soviet constitution.

1945 — A group of U.S. Navy aircraft known as Flight 19 disappears during a training mission over the Atlantic, later contributing to the enduring mystery surrounding the so-called “Bermuda Triangle.”

1952 — The Great Smog of London begins enveloping London, setting off a five-day smog event that caused severe disruptions and is estimated to have resulted in thousands of deaths.

1964 — Roger Donlon is awarded the first U.S. Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War — marking a notable moment in the conflict.

1977 — Under the leadership of Anwar al‑Sadat, Egypt breaks diplomatic relations with several Arab states (including Syria, Libya, Iraq, Algeria, South Yemen), signalling a significant realignment in Middle-East geopolitics.

2005 — The Civil Partnership Act 2004 comes into force in the United Kingdom, granting legal recognition and rights to same-sex couples — a major milestone in the history of civil rights and equality.

2013 — Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid icon and former president of South Africa, dies at age 95 — prompting global reflection on his life and legacy in the struggle against racial segregation.