The Sheikh of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, made the largest single charitable donation in modern history. He committed 7,41 billion Euro to an educational foundation in the Middle East.

A Pakistani Airlines aircraft crashed while landing at Cairo airport. 121 people died in the crash.

British singer, Joe Cocker, was born in Sheffield, England.

The 'Battle of Crete' began as German paratroopers dropped over Crete. It was the first large-scale airborne invasion of the war, although the Germans had used parachute assaults in the invasion of France it was on a much smaller scale. The high cost in German lives during the invasion, put a stop in any further such airborne operation by the Germans throughout the rest of the war.

Greek popular singer, Marinella, was born in Thessalonica.

Cuba gained its independence from the United States. The United States had occupied the island after the Spanish-American War of 1898.

The eruption of the Krakatoa volcano in Indonesia began. The eruption would ultimately destroy most of the island, it is said that the explosion that destroyed the island was the loudest noise in recorded history.

Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received a US patent for blue jeans with copper rivets.

Greek revolutionary, Gregorios Dikaios, died at the age of 37. He was known as Papaflessas during the Greek revolution and he died in battle with Ottoman forces from Egypt.

Greek revolutionary, Andreas Miaoulis, was born on the island of Hydra.

Italian explorer, Christopher Columbus, died at the age of 55 in Valladolid, Mexico.