- 1521 - Birth of theologian Petrus Canisius
- 1928 - Birth of politician Manfred Gerlach, Staatsratsvorsitzender der DDR 1989-1990
- 1936 - Death of historian and philosopher Oswald Spengler
- 1945 - Victory in Europe Day: The unconditional surrender of German forces ends World War II in Europe
- 1976 - Death of Red Army Faction terrorist Ulrike Meinhof