JANUARY 5 | Birthdays and Events

3 min. read
January 3, 2025 10:32 pm CST

Notable Birthdays for January 5

Zebulon Pike (1779-1813) - General and explorer of the Louisiana Purchase territory.

King Camp Gillette (1855-1932) - Founder of the Gillette Company.

Joseph Erlanger (1874-1965) - Physiologist who identified several varieties of nerve fiber.

Herbert Bayard Swope (1882-1958) - Journalist who was considered the best reporter of his time. 

Jeane Dixon (1904-1997) - Astrologer and psychic who is said to have predicted the death of John F. Kennedy.

Stephen Cole Kleene (1909-1994) - Mathematician who is considered the founder of recursion theory, which would provide the foundations of theoretical computer science.

George Reeves (1914-1959) - Actor remembered for his role as Kent Clark in the Adventures of Superman (1952–1958).

Sam Phillips (1923-2003) - Founder of Sun Records

Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) - Founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Robert Duvall (1931-Still Living) - Considered one of the greatest actors of all time (To Kill a Mockingbird, True Grit, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather Part II).

Charlie Rose (1942-Still Living) - Journalist and host of 60 Minutes.

Diane Keaton (1946-Still Living) - Multi-award winning actress with roles in The Godfather, Manhattan, First Wives Club, and Father of the Bride.

Ted Lange (1948-Still Living) - Actor most recognized for his role as Isaac Washington The Love Boat.

Chris Stein (1950-Still Living) - Guitarist and co-founder of the band Blondie.

Marilyn Manson (1969-Still Living) - Controversial rock artist.

Bradley Cooper (1975-Still Living) - Well-known actor in The Hangover, American Sniper, and A Star is Born.

Memorable Events for January 5

1859 - The first steamboat sails up the northern Red River.

1892 - The first auroral photograph is successfully made.

1911 - Kappa Alpha Psi is founded at Indiana University.

1912 - The first National Hockey Association game is played.

1914 - An 8-hour workday and minimum daily wage of $5 is announced by the Ford Motor Company.

1925 - Nellie Tayloe Ross becomes the first female governor in the U.S.

1933 - Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge begins.

1949 - President Truman unveils his Fair Deal program.

1957 - President Eisenhower announces the establishment of the Eisenhower Doctrine.

1959 - Bozo the Clown premiers on t.v.

1972 - President Nixon announces the Space Shuttle program.