May 17 in History
May 17 is the birthday of Julie Anne San Jose (1994) and the anniversary of the death of Bud Anderson (2024). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for May 17, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
Discover your ethnicity and find relatives with AncestryDNA.
Jien, Japanese monk, poet, and historian was born in 1155, while Empress Dowager Hu of Northern Wei died in 528.
Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
Ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.
Famous people born on May 17
Famous people who died on May 17
2017
Todor Veselinović (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Yugoslav and Serbian football manager and player (1930–2017)
2009
Mario Benedetti (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Uruguayan journalist, novelist, and poet (1920–2009)
What happened on May 17
- 2014
A military plane crash in northern Laos kills 17 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2010
Pamir Airways Flight 112 crashes in Afghanistan's Shakardara District, killing 44.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 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.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2006
The aircraft carrier USS Oriskany is sunk in the Gulf of Mexico as an artificial reef.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2004
The first legal same-sex marriages in the U.S. are performed in the state of Massachusetts.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2000
Arsenal and Galatasaray fans clash in the 2000 UEFA Cup Final riots in Copenhagen.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1997
Troops of Laurent-Désiré Kabila march into Kinshasa. Zaire is officially renamed Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1995
Shawn Nelson steals an M60 tank from the California Army National Guard Armory in San Diego and proceeds to go on a rampage.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1994
Malawi holds its first multi-party elections.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1992
Three days of popular protests against the government of Prime Minister of Thailand Suchinda Kraprayoon begin in Bangkok, leading to a military crackdown that results in 52 officially confirmed deaths, hundreds of injuries, many disappearances, and more than 3,500 arrests.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1990
The General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) eliminates homosexuality from the list of psychiatric diseases.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1987
Iran–Iraq War: 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.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 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.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1983
The U.S. Department of Energy declassifies documents showing world's largest mercury pollution event in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (ultimately found to be 4.2 million pounds [1.9 kt]), in response to the Appalachian Observer's Freedom of Information Act request.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1983
Lebanon, Israel, and the United States sign an agreement on Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on May 17
- 1155 — Jien, Japanese monk, poet, and historian (died 1225)
- 1443 — Edmund, Earl of Rutland (died 1460)
- 1451 — Engelbert II of Nassau, Count of Nassau-Vianden and Lord of Breda (1475—1504) (died 1504)
Died on May 17
- 528 — Empress Dowager Hu of Northern Wei
- 528 — Yuan Yong, imperial prince of Northern Wei
- 528 — Yuan Zhao, emperor of Northern Wei (born 526)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for May 17
Quick answers
Who was born on May 17? Julie Anne San Jose (1994), Johanna Konta (1991), Will Clyburn (1990).
Who died on May 17? Bud Anderson (2024), Sid Going (2024), Vangelis (2022).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in May? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the May 17 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
Discover your ethnicity and find relatives with AncestryDNA.
Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
Ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.