On this day in history - June 5

What Happened On This Day – June 5

• 1981 The first cases of AIDS are reported

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention described five cases of a rare form of pneumonia, a deadly immune deficiency disease which later became known as AIDS. In 2000, more than 40 million people worldwide were affected by it.

• 1968 Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated

  The attacker, a 24-year old Palestinian, was disgruntled by Kennedy's support for Israel. The brother of former U.S. President, John F. Kennedy, died on the following day.

• 1967 The Six-Day War begins in the Middle East

  Israeli forces launched a surprise attack against Egypt, prompting other Arab allies to enter the conflict. Egypt had previously blocked the Straits of Tiran to Israeli traffic and amassed its troops at the border between the two countries.

• 1956 Elvis Presley first performs “Hound Dog” live on TV

  Presley's suggestive hip movements during this performance earned him his nickname, “Elvis the Pelvis.” “Hound Dog” became his best-selling song with about 10 million sold copies.

• 1883 The first Orient Express leaves Paris

  The legendary train journey from Paris to Istanbul featured in many works of popular culture, including Bram Stoker's “Dracula” and Agatha Christie's “Murder on the Orient Express.“