Events for August 05

August 5, 1901

Peter O'Connor sets long jump record at 24 11 3-4.

Peter O’Connor, an Irish athlete, set a remarkable world record in the long jump on August 5, 1901. His jump measured 24 feet 11 ¾ inches (7.61 meters), which remained the world record for 20 years.

August 5, 1704

Act of Security passed by the Scottish Parliament.

The Act of Security was passed by the Scottish Parliament in 1704 as a response to the perceived threats to Scotland’s autonomy and interests following the accession of Queen Anne to the throne of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1702. The act was a significant moment in the lead-up to the Union of Scotland and England in 1707, as it reflected the growing tensions between the two kingdoms and Scotland’s desire to protect its sovereignty.

August 5, 1722

Birth of William Fortescuem, politician and sportsman, who tried unsuccessfully in the 1760s to introduce a bill to preserve partridges and hares and to take away the lives of above half the dogs in the nation

William Fortescue, born in 1722, was a British politician and sportsman known for his attempts in the 1760s to introduce a controversial bill aimed at preserving partridges and hares, and for proposing to drastically reduce the number of dogs in the nation. Although his efforts were unsuccessful, they highlight the tensions between landowners, game preservation, and the rights of common people during that period.

August 5, 1305

William Wallace betrayed and captured by the English.

Sir William Wallace (c. 1276 – August 23, 1305) was a Scottish patriot who led his country against the English occupation of Scotland and King Edward I of England during significant periods of the Wars of Scottish Independence.