On December 6, 1884, in Washington, D.C., workers placed
a nine-inch aluminum pyramid inscribed with "Laus Deo,"
meaning praise (be) to God, atop a tower of white marble,
completing the construction of an impressive monument to
the city’s namesake and the nation’s first president, George
Washington (below).        
        
        

A city law passed in 1910 restricted the height of new buildings
to ensure that the monument will remain the tallest structure in Washington, D.C.—a fitting tribute to the man known as the
“Father of His Country.”

On December 6, 1961, Syracuse running back Ernie Davis
became the first Black player to win the Heisman Trophy—
college football’s top individual award—beating Ohio State
fullback Bob Ferguson.

Earlier in day, Davis met with President John Kennedy at
the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. "I never thought
I’d ever be shaking the hand of the President of the United
States," he says.

As a senior in 1961, Davis rushed for 823 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. The previous season, he rushed for 877 yards.

Davis was the first pick in the 1962 NFL draft, by Washington,
which traded him to the Cleveland Browns. But he never
played in the NFL. Davis was diagnosed with leukemia later
in 1962, and died on May 18, 1963. He was 23.

Ernie Davis Statue, Syracuse University.

The first Medal of Honor awarded to a U.S. serviceman for
action in Vietnam was presented to Capt. Roger Donlon
of Saugerties, New York, for his heroic action earlier in
the year.

Captain Donlon and his Special Forces team were manning
Camp Nam Dong, a mountain outpost near the borders of
Laos and North Vietnam.

He was wounded three more times, but he continued fighting,
manning a mortar, throwing grenades at the enemy, and
refusing medical attention.

President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded Captain Roger
Donlon the Medal of Honor.

Little Richard (Richard Wayne Penniman)
(December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020) 

Musician Little Richard is known for his groundbreaking stage
persona and early rock n’ roll hits "Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall
Sally."

At 2:10 p.m. on December 5, 1945, five U.S. Navy Avenger
torpedo-bombers comprising Flight 19 took off from the
Ft. Lauderdale Naval Air Station in Florida on a routine
three-hour training mission.

After having completed their objective, Flight 19 was
scheduled to take them due east for an additional 67
miles, then turn north for 73 miles, and back to the air
station after that, totaling a distance of 120 miles.