On this day

November 5, 1943

Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

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Headlines from November 5, 1943

Notable Births

1943Friedman Paul Erhardt, German-American chef and author (died 2007)[†]

Friedman Paul Erhardt was a German American pioneering early television chef. He was known as "Chef Tell" to his 40 million fans. He is widely regarded as one of the first chefs to enjoy widespread popularity on American television. Former Philadelphia Inquirer food writer, Elaine Tait, wrote, "Chef Tell is America's pioneer TV showman chef whose food always tastes good." Erhardt's thick German accent reportedly made him the inspiration for the Swedish Chef, a well known Muppet character on The Muppet Show, although Brian Henson denies this.

1943Percy Hobson, Australian high jumper (died 2022)[†]

Percy Francis Hobson was an Australian high jumper. He won the men's event at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, making him the first Indigenous Australian to earn a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Sam Shepard

1943Sam Shepard, American playwright and actor (died 2017)[†]

Samuel Shepard Rogers III was an American playwright, actor, director, screenwriter, author and musician whose career spanned half a century. He wrote 58 plays as well as several books of short stories, essays, and memoirs. His accolades include the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Drama Desk Award, the PEN/Laura Pels Theater Award, and the record 10 Obie Awards, in addition to nominations for two Tony Awards, an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1994. The New York magazine described Shepard as "the greatest American playwright of his generation."

Historical Events

Bombing of Rome in World War II

1943World War II: Bombing of the Vatican.[†]

Rome, along with Vatican City, was bombed several times during 1943 and 1944, primarily by Allied and to a smaller degree by Axis aircraft, before the city was liberated by the Allies on June 4, 1944. Pope Pius XII was initially unsuccessful in attempting to have Rome declared an open city, through negotiations with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt via Archbishop Francis Spellman. Rome was eventually declared an open city on August 14, 1943 by the defending Italian forces.