May 17 holidays in 2023

Holiday name Holiday location Holiday type
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day - International (Awareness & Cause, Products & Technology , United Nations)
Constitution Day Nauru Public Holiday
17 May Constitution Day (1814) Norway National Holiday, Flag Day
Galicia Literature Day Spain (Galicia) Local Holiday
Liberation Day Congo Democratic Republic Public Holiday
National Pack Rat Day - Unofficial (Lifestyle)
National Cherry Cobbler Day - Unofficial (Food & Drinks)
National Graduation Tassel Day - Unofficial (Education & Reading)
National Walnut Day - Unofficial (Food & Drinks)

Historical Events on May 17

  • 1875: The first Kentucky Derby is won by Aristides – an American thoroughbred that was trained by Ansel Williamson.
  • 1900: The city of Mafeking, South Africa is relieved by British troops after a 217-day siege during the Second Boer War.
  • 1902: The Antikythera mechanism – an ancient Greek analog computer – is discovered by archaeologist Valerios Stais.
  • 1940: The city of Brussels in Belgium is occupied by German forces during World War 2.
  • 1943: The attack on German dams known as the Dambuster Raids continues during World War II.
  • 1954: In the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, the U.S Supreme Court hands down a unanimous decision.
  • 1973: During the Watergate Scandal, televised hearings start in the U.S Senate.
  • 1974: 6 people are killed when L.A police officers raid the Symbionese Liberation Army’s HQ; Among those dead was Camilla Hall.
  • 1977: The first Chuck E. Cheese restaurant is opened by Nolan Bushnell in San Jose, California.
  • 1990: Homosexuality is removed from the list of psychiatric diseases by the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • 1995: An M60 tank is stolen from the California Army National Guard Armory is San Diego, California by Shawn Nelson. He would take the tank on a 23-minute rampage as police chased him. He was eventually shot and killed by officers after the tank became stuck on a median.
  • 2004: In the state of Massachusetts in the United States, the first U.S same-sex marriages are performed.
  • 2014: 17 people are killed during a plane crash in Laos.

Famous Birthdays on May 17

  • Norwegian chemist and Nobel Prize laureate, Odd Hassel is born in 1897.
  • French author Marie-Anne Desmarest is born in 1904.
  • American boxer Sugar Ray Leonard is born in 1956.
  • American comedian and actor, Bob Saget is born in 1956.
  • Scottish-American comedian, actor and talk show host, Craig Ferguson is born in 1962.
  • American singer-songwriter Trent Reznor is born in 1965.

Mardi Gras

Ash Wednesday

Purim

Tax Day

Mother’s Day

Father’s Day

Eid al-Adha