In History, Today on December 5

Christopher Columbus became the first European to set foot on the island of Hispaniola, which is now divided into Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and effectively ending Prohibition in the United States.

Flight 19, a group of five TBM Avenger torpedo bombers on a training flight, disappeared over the Bermuda Triangle, contributing to the legend of the mysterious area.

The Great Smog of London began, lasting until December 9, causing severe air pollution and leading to the deaths of thousands of people.

The American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merged to form the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the United States.

The Rolling Stones held a free concert at Altamont Speedway in California, which became infamous for the violence that occurred, including the stabbing death of a concertgoer.

Ukraine held a referendum in which 90% of voters approved independence from the Soviet Union, leading to the formal dissolution of the USSR later that month.

The United States officially withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, a 1972 agreement between the U.S. and the Soviet Union that limited the use of missile defense systems to prevent an arms race in strategic ballistic missiles.

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into effect in the United Kingdom, allowing same-sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationships.

The United Nations Security Council votes to impose sanctions on Iran due to its refusal to suspend its uranium enrichment program, marking a significant moment in the international community's efforts to curb nuclear proliferation.

Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa and anti-apartheid revolutionary, passes away at the age of 95. His death marks the end of an era in South African history and prompts a global outpouring of tributes and reflections on his legacy.

The International Olympic Committee bans Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang due to state-sponsored doping, allowing only clean athletes to compete under a neutral flag.