1. The First South Carolina Regiment was formed on August 5, 1775, during the Revolutionary War. Composed of soldiers from South Carolina, the regiment played a crucial role in the war effort.

2. On August 5, 1850, South Carolina Senator John C. Calhoun, a fervent supporter of states' rights, delivered his famous "Speech on the Compromise of 1850" in the Senate Chamber. Calhoun argued that the compromise, which attempted to resolve the issue of slavery in the territories, was unconstitutional and would undermine the rights of southern states.

3. August 5, 1861, saw the first major land battle of the Civil War in South Carolina. The Battle of Fort Sumter took place on the Charleston Harbor, and it marked the beginning of a long and bloody conflict between the North and the South.

4. In 1963, James Solomon Jr., a civil rights activist and one of the first black attorneys to practice law in South Carolina, was elected as the first black city council member in Columbia on August 5. Solomon worked tirelessly to end segregation and fought for equal rights for all South Carolinians.

5. August 5, 1970, saw the opening of the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia. The zoo is home to over 2,000 animals and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in South Carolina. The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is dedicated to conservation and education, and it plays an important role in the preservation of endangered species.