Last Updated: September 5, 2026
Today in History – September 5 is a historically profound calendar date in both Indian and global contexts. In India, it is observed as National Teachers’ Day to mark the birth anniversary of the eminent philosopher and second President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Internationally, the United Nations commemorates this day as the International Day of Charity to honor the humanitarian legacy of Mother Teresa on her death anniversary.
This article covers:
- Major historical events on September 5
- Famous personalities born on September 5
- National and international observances
- Important current affairs and competitive exam facts
Table of Contents
🌟 Top Highlights of September 5
- National Teachers’ Day (India): Commemorated across India to honor teachers on Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birth anniversary.
- International Day of Charity: Officially designated by the UN to mark Mother Teresa’s passing.
- Treaty of Portsmouth (1905): The historic agreement mediated by US President Theodore Roosevelt that ended the Russo-Japanese War.
- Munich Massacre (1972): Tragic terrorist attack on Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympic Games.
🗓️ Important Historical Events on September 5
1774 – First Continental Congress Convened
Representatives from twelve American colonies met in Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress. The gathering was organized in response to British policies and played a crucial role in the movement toward American independence. It later became a foundation for the creation of the United States.
1905 – Treaty of Portsmouth Signed
The Treaty of Portsmouth formally ended the Russo-Japanese War. Negotiated with the assistance of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, the agreement established Japan as a major world power and reshaped the balance of power in East Asia.
1972 – Munich Olympics Attack
During the Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, Palestinian militant group ‘Black September’ took Israeli Olympic team members hostage, leading to the tragic deaths of 11 Israelis and a German police officer.
1973 – 4th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit Begins
The Fourth Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement opened in Algiers, Algeria. During the Cold War, the movement provided a platform for nations seeking independence from both the American and Soviet power blocs. The summit strengthened cooperation among developing countries.
1977 – NASA Launches Voyager 1 Space Probe
NASA launched the Voyager 1 space probe to study the outer Solar System and interstellar space. The spacecraft provided unprecedented information about Jupiter and Saturn and later became the farthest man-made object from Earth.
Other Major Events
- 1612: The East India Company’s Naval forces (precursor to the Royal Indian Navy) were officially established.
- 1872: Birth of V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, prominent Indian freedom fighter who launched the first indigenous Indian shipping service.
- 1939: US President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared formal American neutrality at the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
- 1960: Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) won the gold medal in the light heavyweight boxing category at the Rome Olympics.
🎂 Famous Birthdays on September 5
| Year | Personality | Domain / Notable Achievement |
| 1803 | Purushottama Choudhary | Pioneer of Telugu Christian hymnal poetry and vaggeyakara. |
| 1872 | V. O. Chidambaram Pillai | Tamil freedom fighter, founder of Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company. |
| 1888 | Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan | First Vice-President & 2nd President of India, philosopher, Bharat Ratna. |
| 1914 | Nicanor Parra | Renowned Chilean physicist and poet, creator of ‘Anti-poetry’. |
| 1920 | Rentala Gopalakrishna | Renowned Telugu journalist, poet, and literary translator. |
| 1926 | Janamaddi Hanumath shastri | Educator and litterateur instrumental in restoring C.P. Brown Library. |
| 1955 | Prof. M. Kodandaram | Leader of the Telangana Joint Action Committee (T-JAC) & academician. |
📌 Other Notable Birthdays: Phiroze Palia (1910) – Member of India’s historic first Test match team at Lord’s in 1932, Pallempati Venkateswarlu (1927) – Industrialist and founder of Kakatiya Cements.
🕯️ Notable Death Anniversaries on September 5
- 1997 – Mother Teresa: Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1979) and Bharat Ratna recipient who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata to serve the poorest of the poor.
- 2010 – Dr. Homi Sethna: Eminent nuclear scientist and former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India who guided the 1974 ‘Smiling Buddha’ nuclear test.
- 2017 – Gauri Lankesh: Prominent Indian journalist and activist from Karnataka who edited Gauri Lankesh Patrike.
📌 Other Demises: Auguste Comte (1857) – Founder of Sociology.
📢 National & International Days Observed on September 5
- National Teachers’ Day (India): Celebrated annually on September 5 since 1962 to honor Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. To recognize and celebrate the vital role teachers play in shaping society and educating the youth. National Awards to Teachers are conferred by the President of India on this day.
- International Day of Charity: Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to coincide with the death anniversary of Mother Teresa. To mobilize people, NGOs, and stakeholders worldwide to help others through philanthropic activities. Raises global awareness regarding poverty eradication and humanitarian assistance.
💡Did You Know?
- Dr. Radhakrishnan’s Request: When Dr. Radhakrishnan became President of India in 1962, his students asked to celebrate his birthday. He requested that instead of celebrating his birthday, September 5 be observed as Teachers’ Day.
- Golden Record on Voyager 1: Launched on September 5, 1977, NASA’s Voyager 1 carries a 12-inch gold-plated copper disk containing sounds, music, and images of Earth intended for intelligent extraterrestrial life.
- Historic Victory: The signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth on September 5, 1905, marked the conclusion of the Russo-Japanese War, which was the first modern military victory of an Asian nation over a major European power.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why is National Teachers’ Day celebrated on September 5 in India?
Ans: It is celebrated on September 5 to honor the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s first Vice-President and second President, who was a distinguished scholar and teacher.
Q2: Whose death anniversary marks the International Day of Charity?
Ans: The International Day of Charity is observed on September 5 to mark the death anniversary of Nobel Peace Laureate Mother Teresa.
Q3: Who was the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission during India’s first nuclear test in 1974?
Ans: Dr. Homi Sethna was the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission during the 1974 ‘Smiling Buddha’ test.
Q4: When was NASA’s Voyager 1 space probe launched?
Ans: Voyager 1 was launched on September 5, 1977.
Q5: Which treaty ended the Russo-Japanese War on September 5, 1905?
Ans: The Treaty of Portsmouth ended the Russo-Japanese War.
Q6: Who introduced the literary concept of ‘Anti-poetry’ (Akavitvam)?
Ans: The Chilean poet and physicist Nicanor Parra created the concept of anti-poetry.
Q7: Which Indian state-level JAC leader and academician was born on September 5?
Ans: Prof. M. Kodandaram, leader of the Telangana Joint Action Committee (T-JAC).
Q8: Who was the first Vice-President of Independent India?
Ans: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan served as India’s first Vice-President (1952–1962) and second President (1962–1967).
Q9. Which UN observance falls on September 5?
Ans: International Day of Charity.
Q10. Who founded the Missionaries of Charity?
Ans: Mother Teresa.