May 17: What Happened on This Day in History
May 17th marks the 137th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 138th in case of leap years). There are 228 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on May 17th in history, famous birthdays on May 17th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to May 17.
What happened on May 17?
Here's what happened on May 17th in history:
- 2022: Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have made a significant breakthrough in understanding zinc transportation within cells. Led by biologist Crysten Blaby and postdoctoral fellow Nicolas Grosjean, the team conducted comprehensive studies using genetics experiments, biochemical assays, and computational modeling to identify ZNG1, a specialized protein that acts as a 'chaperone' for zinc delivery. This discovery is particularly crucial in understanding how cells manage zinc distribution, especially in environments with limited zinc access. The research provides insights into cellular zinc metabolism and could have important implications for understanding nutrient transport mechanisms.
- 2019: On May 17, 2019, Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed a law legalizing same-sex marriage, making it the first country in Asia to do so. The law grants same-sex couples the right to register their marriages and access many of the same rights as heterosexual couples, effective from May 24, 2019. source: dw.com
- 2017: On May 17, 2017, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as Special Counsel to oversee the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and potential collusion with the Trump campaign. source: nytimes.com
- 2016: On May 17, 2016, the Iraqi Army, supported by U.S. airstrikes, recaptured the town of Ar-Rutbah in Anbar Governorate from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This victory enabled the reopening of the Baghdad–Amman highway, facilitating trade and movement between Iraq and Jordan. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2009: On May 17, 2009, Lithuania elected its first female president, Dalia Grybauskaitė. Known for her strong stance on economic reforms and anti-corruption measures, Grybauskaitė's election marked a significant milestone in Lithuania's political history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2005: On May 17, 2005, Newsweek magazine retracted a report alleging that U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo Bay desecrated the Qur'an, a claim that had led to violent protests in several Muslim countries. source: aljazeera.com
- 2003: On May 17, 2003, Funny Cide secured victory in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the U.S. Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. source: nytimes.com
- 1980: The Shining Path, a Maoist guerrilla group, initiated its insurgency in Peru on May 17, 1980. This marked the beginning of a violent conflict aimed at overthrowing the Peruvian government, leading to decades of violence and instability in the country. The group became notorious for its brutal tactics and significant impact on Peruvian society and politics. source: britannica.com
- 1979: The 6th Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony took place on May 17, 1979, at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in New York City. Hosted by Bob Barker and televised on CBS, the event honored excellence in American daytime programming from 1978. Notably, this ceremony introduced the Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress categories, marking a first in the awards show's history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1971: On May 17, 1971, Washington State enacted legislation prohibiting sex discrimination, marking a significant step toward gender equality in the state. source: historylink.org
What famous birthdays are on May 17?
On May 17th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Adel Imam]()
Adel Imam (1940)Adel Imam is a renowned Egyptian actor and comedian, considered one of the most influential figures in the Arab entertainment industry. With a prolific career spanning over six decades, he is known for his distinctive comedic style and has starred in numerous films, television series, and plays. [bio]
![Dennis Hopper]()
Dennis Hopper (1936)Dennis Hopper was an influential American actor, filmmaker, photographer, and artist, known for his intense performances and for directing and starring in the countercultural classic 'Easy Rider'. He had a dynamic and eclectic career in Hollywood, marked by both critical acclaim and periodic controversy. [bio]
![Sugar Ray Leonard]()
Sugar Ray Leonard (1956)Sugar Ray Leonard is an American former professional boxer, motivational speaker, and occasional actor. He is regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, having won world titles in five weight divisions and being named the undisputed welterweight champion. [bio]
![Bob Saget]()
Bob Saget (1956)Bob Saget was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and television host, best known for his role as Danny Tanner on the sitcom 'Full House' and as the original host of 'America's Funniest Home Videos.' He also had a prolific stand-up career and narrated the sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother.' [bio]
![Antonio Aguilar]()
Antonio Aguilar (1919)Antonio Aguilar was a renowned Mexican singer, actor, equestrian, film producer, and screenwriter, celebrated for popularizing traditional Mexican music and starring in numerous films. Known as 'El Charro de México,' he became one of the most influential figures in Mexican entertainment, bridging music and cinema for decades. [bio]
![Sammy Baugh]()
Sammy Baugh (1914)Sammy Baugh was an American football quarterback, coach, and Hall of Famer widely considered one of the most influential players in the history of the National Football League (NFL). He revolutionized the forward pass and set numerous records during his stellar career. [bio]
![Lena Waithe]()
Lena Waithe (1984)Lena Waithe is an American screenwriter, producer, and actress known for her poignant storytelling and groundbreaking contributions to television. She gained widespread recognition for her work on the series 'Master of None,' becoming the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. [bio]
![Derek Hough]()
Derek Hough (1985)Derek Hough is an American professional dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer. He is best known for his work on 'Dancing with the Stars,' where he has won a record six seasons, and for his performances in stage productions and television. [bio]
![Bill Paxton]()
Bill Paxton (1955)Bill Paxton was an American actor and filmmaker best known for his roles in blockbuster films such as 'Aliens' (1986), 'Twister' (1996), and 'Titanic' (1997), as well as the HBO series 'Big Love.' He built a versatile career in both action-packed and dramatic roles across film and television. [bio]
![Maureen O'Sullivan]()
Maureen O'Sullivan (1911)Maureen O'Sullivan was an Irish-American actress best known for playing Jane Parker in the Tarzan film series of the 1930s and 1940s. With a career spanning over six decades, she appeared in more than 60 films and was regarded as one of the era's prominent leading ladies. [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on May 17?
On May 17th the following celebrities died:
![Robert Webber]()
Robert Webber (1989)Robert Webber was an American actor known for his roles in film, television, and theater, often playing suave, tough, or authoritative characters. [bio]
![Frank Gorshin]()
Frank Gorshin (2005)Frank Gorshin was an American actor, impressionist, and comedian best known for his Emmy-nominated role as the Riddler on the 1960s TV series 'Batman'. He was also highly regarded for his nightclub performances and voice work. [bio]
![Edward Hardwicke]()
Edward Hardwicke (2011)Edward Hardwicke was an English actor renowned for his portrayal of Dr. John Watson alongside Jeremy Brett in the acclaimed Granada Television adaptations of Sherlock Holmes stories. He had a distinguished stage and screen career, appearing in numerous British TV series and films over several decades. [bio]
![Hugh Burden]()
![Bruce Fairbairn]()
![Herman Wouk]()
Herman Wouk (2019)Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist renowned for his epic World War II literature, including 'The Caine Mutiny' and 'The Winds of War', which...
![Gerald Edelman]()
Gerald Edelman (2014)Renowned American neuroscientist and immunologist who won the Nobel Prize in 1972 for groundbreaking research on the structure of antibodies...
![Harmon Killebrew]()
Harmon Killebrew (2011)Legendary Major League Baseball player who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
![Abe Burrows]()
Abe Burrows (1985)Abe Burrows was a celebrated American playwright, director, and writer best known for his iconic Broadway musical 'Guys and Dolls', which...
![Mario Benedetti]()
Mario Benedetti (2009)Mario Benedetti was a prominent Uruguayan poet, novelist, and essayist who significantly influenced Latin American literature.
What day of the year is May 17?
May 17th marks the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 138th in case of leap years).
There are 228 days remaining until the end of the year.
May 17th is the 17th day of the month of May.
What day of the week is May 17?
On May 17th, 2026 the day of the week is Sunday.
| May | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
What zodiac sign is associated with the day May 17?
The zodiac sign associated with May 17th is Taurus according to the Western Zodiac.
