1668 - Portuguese galleySantissimo Sacramento strikes a reef off the coast of Salvador, Northeast Brazil, and sinks. Out of the over 1,000 people on board, only 70 survive the disaster.
1905 - The trial in the Stratton brothers case begins in London. It is the first time that fingerprint evidence is used to get a conviction for murder.
1945 – World War II: Admiral Karl Dönitz, leader of Germany after Hitler's death, orders all U-boats to cease offensive operations and return to their bases.
1949 – The Council of Europe in Strasbourg is founded through the Treaty of London as the first European institution working for European integration. Since 1964, May 5 has been designated Europe Day by the Council of Europe and is celebrated since then to commemorate its founding on 5 May 1949.