May 17: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court issued a transformative ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, declaring racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Quick Facts for May 17
- Zodiac sign: Taurus
- Day of year: 137
About May 17
May 17 serves as a profound marker for human rights and social progress. Beyond the legal breakthroughs in American education, the day celebrates international diversity through observances like Norway's Constitution Day and Children's Day, as well as the recognition of the Baháʼí Faith's Feast of ‘Aẓamat. It is also a day for global solidarity, marked by the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
For those seeking a lighter touch, the day offers a feast for the senses and the imagination. It is a time to celebrate literary heritage in Galicia or to lose oneself in the whimsical world of L. Frank Baum, whose classic tale, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, first arrived in bookstores on this date in 1900. Whether through legal reform or literary wonder, May 17 remains a day of deep cultural significance.
Holidays & Observances on May 17
- Birthday of the Raja (Perlis)
- Children's Day (Norway)
- Constitution Day (Nauru)
- Constitution Day (Norway)
- Feast of ‘Aẓamat (Baháʼí Faith, day shifts with March Equinox, see List of observances set by the Baháʼí calendar)
- Galician Literature Day or Día das Letras Galegas (Galicia)
- International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
- Liberation Day (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Fun & National Days on May 17
- National Cherry Cobbler Day — Treat yourself to a warm, fruit-filled dessert topped with ice cream.
- National Mushroom Hunting Day — Head into the woods to search for delicious wild fungi.
- National Pack Rat Day — Celebrate the art of collecting and organizing your favorite trinkets.
- National Pinot Grigio Day — Uncork a crisp bottle of this refreshing white wine to enjoy.
- National Walnut Day — Add some crunchy, nutritious walnuts to your favorite baked goods today.
- World Baking Day — Fire up the oven and create something delicious from scratch.
- Stepmother's Day
- World Hypertension Day
- World Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day
On This Day in History
- 1395 — Wallachian forces successfully repelled an invading Ottoman army during the Battle of Rovine.
- 1527 — Pánfilo de Narváez set sail from Spain, beginning an expedition to Florida with 600 men.
- 1642 — The settlement of Ville Marie de Montréal was established by Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve.
- 1756 — Great Britain's declaration of war against France officially marked the onset of the Seven Years' War.
- 1792 — The Buttonwood Agreement paved the way for the creation of the New York Stock Exchange.
- 1859 — The first official rules for Australian rules football were codified by members of the Melbourne Football Club.
- 1863 — Rosalía de Castro released Cantares Gallegos, marking a milestone for Galician language literature.
- 1900 — L. Frank Baum's iconic children's novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was first published in America.
- 1902 — Archaeologist Valerios Stais unearthed the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient Greek mechanical analog computer.
- 1939 — A collegiate baseball game between Princeton and Columbia became the first sporting event ever televised.
- 1954 — The Supreme Court's unanimous Brown v. Board of Education decision ended legal segregation in schools.
- 1990 — The World Health Organization officially removed homosexuality from its list of recognized psychiatric diseases.
Famous Birthdays on May 17
- 1682 — Bartholomew Roberts, The notorious Welsh pirate who became a legendary figure of the Golden Age.
- 1749 — Edward Jenner, The pioneering English physician and scientist who developed the smallpox vaccine.
- 1866 — Erik Satie, An influential French composer and pianist known for his unique musical style.
- 1893 — Frederick McKinley Jones, An ingenious American inventor who revolutionized the transport of refrigerated goods.
- 1955 — Bill Paxton, A versatile American actor celebrated for his many memorable film roles.
- 1956 — Sugar Ray Leonard, The legendary American professional boxer and multi-division world champion.
- 1961 — Enya, The world-renowned Irish singer-songwriter famous for her ethereal musical style.
- 1965 — Trent Reznor, The acclaimed American musician and producer, famous as the leader of Nine Inch Nails.