✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 137th day of the year

May 17

A look at May 17 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Christine Ohuruogu and Rosalind Picard, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♉ZodiacTaurus ◈BirthstoneEmerald ❀Birth flowerLily of the Valley
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2014

    2014 Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force An-74 crash

    A military plane crash in northern Laos kills 17 people.

    Aviation accident in Laos
  2. 1974

    The Troubles

    The Troubles: Thirty-three civilians are killed and 300 injured when the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) detonates four car bombs in Dublin and Monaghan, Ireland.

    1960s–1998 conflict in Northern
  3. 1954

    Supreme Court of the United States

    The United States Supreme Court hands down a unanimous decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, outlawing racial segregation in public schools.

    Highest court of jurisdiction
  4. 1940

    World War II

    World War II: Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  5. 1914

    Protocol of Corfu

    The Protocol of Corfu is signed, recognising full autonomy to Northern Epirus under nominal Albanian sovereignty.

    1914 agreement recognizing Northern
  6. 1900

    The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

    The children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, is first published in the United States. The first copy is given to the author's sister.

    1900 children's novel by
  7. 1865

    International Telecommunication Union

    The International Telegraph Union (later the International Telecommunication Union) is established in Paris.

    Specialized agency of the
  8. 1863

    American Civil War

    American Civil War: During the Vicksburg campaign, Union forces under John A. McClernand defeat a Confederate rearguard and capture around 1,700 men at the Battle of Big Black River Bridge.

    1861–1865 conflict in the
  9. 1590

    Anne of Denmark

    Anne of Denmark is crowned Queen of Scotland.

    Queen of Scotland (1589–1619);
  10. 1521

    Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham

    Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for treason.

    English nobleman (1478–1521)
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Famous birthday twins

Born on May 17

Christine Ohuruogu

b. 1984

English runner

Rosalind Picard

b. 1962

American computer scientist and engineer, co-founded Affectiva

Alfonso XIII

b. 1886

of Spain, Spanish monarch

Henri Barbusse

b. 1873

French author and journalist

Christine Nesbitt

b. 1985

Canadian speed skater

Enya

b. 1961

Irish singer-songwriter and producer

Albert, Duke of Prussia

b. 1490

last Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights

Edward Jenner

b. 1749

English physician and microbiologist

Deaths

  • 2009Mario Benedetti, Uruguayan journalist, author, and poet
  • 2005Frank Gorshin, American actor
  • 1765Alexis Clairaut, French mathematician, astronomer, and geophysicist
  • 1727Catherine I of Russia, Empress of Russia from 1725 to 1727
  • 1521Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, Welsh politician, Lord High Constable of England
  • 1510Sandro Botticelli, Italian painter

Holidays & observances

  • —Birthday of the Raja (Perlis)
  • —Christian feast day: Giulia Salzano
  • —Christian feast day: Blessed Ivan Ziatyk
  • —Christian feast day: Paschal Baylon
  • —Christian feast day: Peter Lieou
  • —Christian feast day: William Hobart Hare (Episcopal Church (USA))
  • —Christian feast day: Restituta
  • —Christian feast day: May 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

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