May 5 is the 125th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 240 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about May 5th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about May 5th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- World password day
- African World Heritage day
- World Portuguese day
- International Midwives Day
- National Cartoonists Day
- National Hoagie Day
- Hug A Shed And Take A Selfie Day
- World Portuguese Language Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – May 5
1980: The British Special Air Service (SAS) terminate the Iranian Embassy siege in London
Six gunmen had held 26 people hostage for six days, demanding the release of Iranian Arab prisoners. Two of the hostages were killed.
1955: West Germany regains full sovereignty after World War II
The Federal Republic of Germany had been established in 1949. Its provisional capital was Bonn. After the 1990 reunification of East and West Germany, Berlin was declared the country’s capital.
1949: The Council of Europe is founded
The organization was the first to work for European integration. It has 47 member countries and is a completely separate entity from the European Union (EU).
1934: The first Three Stooges film is released
The comedy trio soon became famous, especially in the U.S., for their short films featuring slapstick humor.
1904: Cy Young pitches the first perfect game in modern major league baseball
A game is considered perfect when none of the opposing players reach the first base. Young’s team, the Boston Americans, won 3-0 over the Philadelphia Athletics.
1966: Vietnam War – soldiers wounded – 1966.

1955: West Germany regains full sovereignty after World War II in 1955
1949: The Council of Europe is founded in 1949
1945: Nazi Germany was fighting with boys in the last days. This boy was given the Iron Cross. 1945.

1930: Work on yards on STS Lwów sailing-ship – first Polish sailing ship registered after WWI and retrieving independence, photo made between 1925-1930,

New York, NY

1821: Napoleon Bonaparte dies on Saint Helena in the South Atlantic in 1821.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, May 5
1988: Adele, English singer-songwriter, musician
1943: Michael Palin, English actor, screenwriter
1830: John Batterson Stetson, American businessman, founded the John B. Stetson Company
1818: Karl Marx, German philosopher
1813: Søren Kierkegaard, Danish philosopher, author
Karl Marx was born
Adele was born
Henry Cavill was born
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, May 5
2013: Greg Quill, Australian/Canadian singer-songwriter, journalist
2000: Gino Bartali, Italian cyclist
1995: Mikhail BotvinnikRussian chess player
1977 Ludwig Erhard, German politician, 2nd Chancellor of West Germany
1821: Napoleon, Corsican/French military officer, political leader
Napoleon Bonaparte died
Walter Sisulu died
Bret Harte died