5 October It Happened Today

1880  Death of French composer Jacques Offenbach.

1908  Bulgaria declares independence from Turkey.

1930  The British R101 airship crashes in France killing 48 people.

1952  Tea ceases to be rationed in Britain.

1954  Birth of Irish musician Bob Geldof.

1975  Birth of English actress Kate Winslet.

1999  A train crash near Paddington station in London kills 31 people.