On this day: January 5
Construction Begins on the Golden Gate Bridge: Building a Wonder Where Men Were Expected to Die
On January 5, 1933, construction officially began on what many believed was an impossible project: a suspension bridge stretching across the Golden Gate Strait
Henry Ford Doubles Workers Pay Overnight
Henry Ford’s $5 Day: The Most Generous Act in Capitalism That Wasn’t Generous at All
Rumors of Rasputin's 'Return' Spread Through Petrograd
After reports of Grigori Rasputin's death reached Petrograd on January 5, 1917, unverified stories and rumors about his possible survival and supernatural return circulated widely, reflecting public confusion and the charged political atmosphere.
Leicester v Burton Albion abandoned after goalkeeper struck by beer cup
A January 5, 1985 FA Trophy tie between Leicester City and Burton Albion was voided after Burton’s goalkeeper was hit by a plastic beer cup thrown from the crowd, rendering him unconscious and forcing abandonment.
CIA Acknowledges Past Surveillance of Hollywood Figures
In January 1999 the CIA confirmed it had surveilled certain Hollywood figures during the Cold War era, acknowledging agency interest in entertainers perceived as influential on public opinion and foreign audiences.
Cricketer Collapses After Overzealous Century Celebration
During a match on 5 January 2014, a batsman who had just reached a century fainted after celebrating too vigorously. Medical staff attended and the player recovered; officials later described the incident as exhaustion and dehydration.
Construction Begins on the Golden Gate Bridge Amid Daring, Deadly Predictions
On January 5 (year unspecified), construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge — an audacious engineering project launched amid forecasts that many workers would die from falls, weather, and dense fog. The bridge’s early work combined novel safety measures with high risk.
FBI Admits It Monitored John Lennon
In 1981 the FBI acknowledged surveillance of John Lennon during his years in the United States, confirming long-suspected monitoring tied to his antiwar activism and immigration battles.
Elvis Presley Receives His 1958 Draft Notice
On January 5, 1958, Elvis Presley was formally notified that he would be drafted into the U.S. Army; the event marked a turning point in his career as plans and public expectations adjusted to his impending military service.