December 5^th in history

Encyclopædia Britannica presents people and events from this day in history:

Walt Disney: Biography of the Day

Walt Disney

Walt Disney, born in Chicago this day in 1901, pioneered animated cartoon films, created such beloved characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, and founded what is now one of the world's largest entertainment conglomerates.

 

Witchcraft condemned by Pope Innocent VIII: 5 December 1484 - This Day in History

Innocent VIII condemned witchcraft this day in 1484 via papal bull, and subsequently he dispatched inquisitors to Germany to try witches and persecuted a chief exponent of Renaissance Platonism, Giovanni Pico della Mirandola.

More Events on this day:

1955: The American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) became a united body of autonomous labour unions.

1947: American boxer Joe Louis defended his heavyweight title against challenger Jersey Joe Walcott in New York City.

1933: Utah became the 36th U.S. state to ratify the Twenty-first Amendment, repealing Prohibition.

1791: Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died in Vienna at age 35.

1784: Phillis Wheatley, the first African American woman poet of note in the United States, died in Boston.

1757: In his greatest victory, Prussian King Frederick II (the Great) defeated the Austrians at Leuthen during the Seven Years' War.