Since “V for Vendetta ” came out on March17 2006, I’ve dreaded November 5 as the day that everyone goes around saying “Remember, Remember the 5^th of November” in that overly cheery I think-I’m-being-clever tone. Don’t get me wrong, I loved “V”, but after hearing it for what feels like the thousandth time, I become ready to throttle the next person who says this tired phrase. The saying itself is mostly harmless, but if you’re going to talk about history (because that’s what people do, totally) far more significant things have happened on the 5th:

1865- George Selden gets the first U.S. patent for an automobile.

1930- Franklin Roosevelt is elected to the first and only third term in U.S. history.

1941- Art Garfunkel was born, providing Paul Simon with a much needed hanger-on.

1955- In the story of “Back to the Future“, time travel was invented.

1968- Richard Nixon is elected to his first term in office.

1973- The Watergate Scandal is discussed before Congress

1992- Bill Clinton is elected to his second term

2006- Saddam Hussein is convicted and sentenced to death

2007- Chang’e, China’s first moon probe, is launched.