This Day in History: March 5

1616 Nicolaus Copernicus' revolutionary book De revolutionibus orbium coelestium is banned by the Catholic Church

In 1543, Copernicus published his book proposing a heliocentric system, which challenged the commonly accepted geocentric model. However, it wasn't until 1616 that the Catholic Church banned the book and placed it on the Index of Forbidden Books, labeling the theory as heretical.

1872 The air brake is patented

George Westinghouse's invention of the air brake for railways greatly increased the safety and efficiency of train travel. The air brake allowed the train to be stopped using compressed air, rather than relying on manual labor or a single individual.

1946 Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech in Fulton, Missouri, popularizes the term and draws attention to the division of Europe

In the aftermath of World War II, the Soviet Union's expansionist policies were a growing concern for the Western powers. Churchill's speech marked the beginning of the Cold War era and brought attention to the ideological divide between the Soviet Union and the West.

1960 Alberto Korda takes his famous picture of revolutionary Che Guevara

Korda's iconic photograph, Guerrillero Heroico, became one of the most famous images of the 20th century and has been reproduced countless times in various forms of popular culture. The photo was taken at a memorial service for the victims of the La Coubre explosion.

1970 The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty enters into force

The treaty aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It was initiated by the five nuclear powers at the time - China, Russia, U.S., U.K., and France - and has since been ratified by 190 nations around the world.

1981 The home computer ZX81 is launched

The ZX81 was a landmark in the development of home computers, as it was affordable for the average person and helped to popularize personal computing. It sold over 1.5 million units and was a precursor to more advanced home computers in the following years.

1046 Persian scholar Naser Khosrow begins the 7 year Middle Eastern journey which he will later describe in his book Safarnama

Naser Khosrow was a prominent philosopher, poet, and traveler in the medieval Islamic world. His journey, which lasted seven years and covered much of the Middle East, became the basis for his famous travelogue, Safarnama.

1496 English King Henry VII grants John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) a commission to explore for new lands

John Cabot was an Italian explorer who sailed under the English flag in search of a route to Asia. His voyages to the New World paved the way for English colonization and claimed territories in North America.

1770 Boston Massacre: British soldiers kill 5 men in a crowd throwing snowballs, stones and sticks at them

The Boston Massacre was a significant event leading up to the American Revolutionary War. The incident occurred on March 5, 1770, when a group of Bostonians began taunting and throwing objects at British soldiers stationed in the city. The soldiers, feeling threatened, fired into the crowd, killing five people, including Crispus Attucks, an African American man who was later held up as an early black martyr. The event galvanized anti-British sentiment in the colonies and played a role in the escalation of tensions between Britain and its American colonies.