Couscous Day
National Couscous Day, celebrated annually on August 5th, is a relatively new holiday that honors the rich culinary tradition of couscous. It was established in 2020 by The Branded Food Group Limited to raise awareness of couscous as a tasty, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare alternative to staples like rice, pasta, and noodles. Couscous Day is a celebration dedicated to couscous, a staple food in many North African countries and a beloved dish worldwide. This day honors the cultural, culinary, and historical significance of couscous, bringing attention to its versatility and the traditions surrounding it.
Couscous Day
Blogger Day, celebrated annually on August 5, honors the art and impact of blogging—especially through the platform Blogger, one of the earliest and most influential blog-publishing tools. Blogger was launched on August 23, 1999, by Pyra Labs, and later acquired by Google in 2003. The platform revolutionized online self-expression, allowing users to create blogs for personal, educational, or commercial purposes. Blogger Day was created to celebrate this platform and the broader blogging community, though the exact founder of the holiday remains unknown.
August 5 has witnessed several significant events throughout history, spanning various fields such as politics, culture, science, and more.
Historical Events
1763 – Pontiac’s War: Battle of Bushy Run: During this conflict between British forces and Native American tribes led by Pontiac, the British achieved a victory at the Battle of Bushy Run in Pennsylvania. This battle was part of the larger struggle for control of the Ohio Valley.
1858 – The First Transatlantic Cable is Completed: The first successful transatlantic telegraph cable, which connected North America and Europe, was completed on this day. This was a monumental achievement in communication, allowing for near-instantaneous communication across the Atlantic for the first time.
1914 – World War I: The First Electric Traffic Light: The first electric traffic light was installed on August 5, 1914, in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. This innovation significantly improved traffic control and safety in growing urban areas.
1949 – Earthquake in Ecuador: A devastating earthquake struck Ambato, Ecuador, on August 5, 1949, killing over 5,000 people and causing widespread destruction.
1962 – Death of Marilyn Monroe: The iconic American actress and cultural figure Marilyn Monroe was found dead on August 5, 1962, at her home in Los Angeles, California. Her death was ruled as a probable suicide, but it remains the subject of much speculation and conspiracy theories.
1963 – Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Signed: The United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom signed the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on August 5, 1963. The treaty prohibited nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, in outer space, and under water, marking a significant step in arms control during the Cold War.
1974 – Nixon’s Impeachment Proceedings: On August 5, 1974, during the Watergate scandal, U.S. President Richard Nixon released tape recordings showing that he had participated in the cover-up of the Watergate break-in, leading to a dramatic escalation in the impeachment proceedings against him. Nixon would resign a few days later, on August 8, 1974.
2010 – Copiapó Mining Accident: On August 5, 2010, a collapse at the San José copper-gold mine in Copiapó, Chile, trapped 33 miners underground for 69 days. The world watched as an international effort successfully rescued the miners in October 2010.
Birthdays
1850 – Guy de Maupassant: Born on August 5, 1850, Maupassant was a French writer and one of the pioneers of the modern short story. His works often explored human nature and the complexities of society.
1906 – John Huston: Born on August 5, 1906, Huston was a renowned American film director, screenwriter, and actor. He directed classic films such as “The Maltese Falcon,” “The African Queen,” and “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.”
1930 – Neil Armstrong: The first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong, was born on August 5, 1930. His historic moon landing on July 20, 1969, remains one of the most significant achievements in human history.
Notable Deaths
1962 – Marilyn Monroe: As mentioned above, the death of Marilyn Monroe on August 5, 1962, marked the loss of one of the most famous and influential figures in Hollywood history.
1886 – David Farragut: An American naval officer during the Civil War, David Farragut, who famously said, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” died on August 5, 1886.
