All Events

Historical Events on May 17

  • Napoleon

    1809

    Emperor Napoleon I orders the annexation of the Papal States to the French Empire.

  • World War II

    1940

    World War II: Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium.

  • United States Supreme Court

    1954

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

  • Six-Day War

    1967

    Six-Day War: President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt demands dismantling of the peace-keeping UN Emergency Force in Egypt.

  • The Troubles

    1974

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

  • Lebanon

    1983

    Lebanon, Israel, and the United States sign an agreement on Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.

  • Charles, Prince of Wales

    1984

    Prince Charles calls a proposed addition to the National Gallery, London, a "monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend", sparking controversies on the proper role of the Royal Family and the course of modern architecture.

  • Iraq

    1987

    An Iraqi Dassault Mirage F1 fighter jet fires two missiles into the U.S. Navy warship USS Stark, killing 37 and injuring 21 of her crew.

  • North Korea

    2007

    Trains from North and South Korea cross the 38th Parallel in a test-run agreed by both governments. This is the first time that trains have crossed the Demilitarized Zone since 1953.

All Births

Famous Birthdays on May 17

All Deaths

Famous Deaths on May 17

16. May

18. May