On June 5, 1849, Denmark became a constitutional monarchy with the signing of its first constitution. Prior to the promulgation of its constitution, Denmark was an absolute monarchy. The Danish constitution protected civil liberties, limited the power of the king, and created a bicameral legislature called the Rigstag, consisting of the Folketing and the Landsting. Today, Constitution Day is celebrated as a national holiday in Denmark every year on June 5. Learn more about Denmark's system of government from the country's official website.

On June 5, 1950, in Sweatt v. Painter, the US Supreme Court ordered the University of Texas Law School to admit black students because a law school founded for blacks could not be equal to the established and prestigious white law school. Learn more about Sweatt v. Painter.