May 17th is the 137th day of the year (138th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 228 days remaining until the end of the year.
Historical Events on May 17th
- 1527: The Sack of Rome begins, as troops of the Holy Roman Empire under Charles V ransack the city for eight days.
- 1792: The New York Stock Exchange is founded.
- 1865: The American Civil War ends with the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House.
- 1940: The Battle of France begins with the German invasion of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
- 1954: The Supreme Court of the United States rules unanimously in Brown v. Board of Education that racial segregation of public schools is unconstitutional.
- 1970: The Vietnam War protests reach their peak with the Kent State shootings, in which four students are killed by Ohio National Guardsmen.
- 1987: The Dow Jones Industrial Average surpasses the 2,000 mark for the first time.
- 2004: Massachusetts becomes the first state in the United States to legalize same-sex marriage.
- 2011: The Occupy Wall Street movement begins in New York City.
Famous Birthdays on May 17th
- 1749: Edward Jenner, English physician and scientist who developed the smallpox vaccine
- 1866: Erik Satie, French composer and pianist
- 1886: Alfonso XIII, King of Spain
- 1904: Jean Gabin, French actor
- 1920: Montgomery Clift, American actor
- 1926: Betty Carter, American jazz singer
- 1936: Dennis Hopper, American actor, director, and photographer
- 1944: Cher, American singer, actress, and television personality
- 1950: Jamie Lee Curtis, American actress
- 1954: Prince, American singer, songwriter, and musician
Notable Deaths on May 17th
- 1727: Catherine I, Empress of Russia
- 1829: John Jay, American statesman and diplomat
- 1935: Paul von Hindenburg, President of Germany
- 1959: Frank Lloyd Wright, American architect
- 1975: Lon Nol, President of Cambodia
- 1987: Grethe Weiser, German actress
- 1998: Frank Sinatra, American singer and actor
- 2003: Robert Atkins, American cardiologist and author of the Atkins Diet
- 2012: Donna Summer, American singer and songwriter
- 2016: Prince, American singer, songwriter, and musician
Holidays and Observances on May 17th
- Norway: Constitution Day
- Sweden: Swedish Ascension Day
- United States: Armed Forces Day (observed)
Fun Facts About May 17th
- The average global temperature on May 17th is 14.5 degrees Celsius (58.1 degrees Fahrenheit).
- The most common zodiac sign for people born on May 17th is Taurus.
- The birthstone for May is emerald.
- The flower for May is lily of the valley.
Tips and Tricks for May 17th
- If you’re planning to travel on May 17th, be sure to book your flights and accommodations in advance, as it is a popular travel day.
- If you’re looking for something to do on May 17th, check out your local calendar of events for parades, festivals, and other activities.
- If you’re feeling patriotic, take some time to learn more about the history of Armed Forces Day and the sacrifices that our military members have made.
- If you’re a fan of Prince, be sure to listen to some of his music on May 17th in honor of his birthday.
