On this day: May 5

Wrestler Revealed as Undercover Police Officer in 1973

On May 5, 1973, a professional wrestler was publicly exposed as an undercover police officer, a revelation that highlighted tensions between law enforcement operations and the performative world of pro wrestling.

First Public Demonstration of a Humanoid Robot, May 5, 1973

On May 5, 1973, engineers presented the first widely publicized demonstration of a humanoid robot, marking an early public glimpse into human-shaped machines designed to mimic basic human movements and tasks.

First Public Demonstration of Space Food, May 5, 1962

On May 5, 1962, NASA held a public demonstration showcasing foods developed for astronauts, illustrating early efforts to adapt meals for the constraints of spaceflight and publicize the agency's progress in human spaceflight support.

First successful human liver transplant patient survives briefly after 1963 operation

On May 5, 1963, surgeons performed an early human liver transplant that produced transient graft function: the patient regained some liver activity but survived only a short time afterward, marking an important early step in transplant surgery despite rapid postoperative decline.

Napoleon Bonaparte dies in exile on Saint Helena

On 5 May 1821, Napoleon Bonaparte, the former Emperor of the French, died while exiled on the South Atlantic island of Saint Helena after nearly six years of British custody following his defeat at Waterloo.

Nautilus Completes First Successful Nuclear-Powered Submarine Patrol

On May 5, 1958, USS Nautilus concluded the first sustained operational patrol by a nuclear-powered submarine, demonstrating extended submerged endurance and marking a turning point in naval strategy and submarine operations.