AP Today in History
May 17 is the 137th day of the year (138th on a leap year) on the Gregorian calendar.http://www.infoplease.com/spot/gregorian1.html The Zodiac sign for individuals born on this day is Taurus. http://www.findyourfate.com/astrology/taurus.htm
Around the world, May 17 is celebrated as International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). More than 50 countries around the world recognize the day, which is meant to call for respect of individuals of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender community.http://www.dayagainsthomophobia.org/spip.php?page=sommaire&id_rubrique=41 The significance of May 17 to IDAHO is that it was the day that homosexuality was officially removed from the International Classification of Diseases by the World Health Organization (WHO), in 1990.http://www.dayagainsthomophobia.org/spip.php?page=sommaire&id_rubrique=41
The day is also celebrated as Pack Rat Day. The day is meant to celebrate pack rats and their practice of keeping items and allowing areas of their home to become cluttered.http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/May/packratday.htm Individuals are encouraged to be pack rats for the day; resist throwing things out, look for useful items being discarded by others, and find new uses for old items around the house. Another purpose for Pack Rat day is for individuals to take a moment to appreciate the things that they are fortunate enough to have.http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/May/packratday.htm
May 17, 2009
2000's
- 2004: Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriages.
May 17, 1973
Watergate scandal hearings began in the U.S. Senate. These hearings were televised.
May 17, 1954
The U.S. Supreme Court decided unanimously on Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.
1940's
- 1940: Germany occupied Brussels, Belgium.
1930's
- 1939: The Columbia Lions and the Princeton Tigers baseball teams played in the first ever televised sporting event.
1800's
- 1873: The city of El Paso, Texas was founded by a charter from the Texas Legislature.
1700's
- 1792: The New York Stock Exchange was founded
1600's
- 1673: Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette began to explore the Mississippi River.
Holidays and Observances
- Nauru - Constitution Day
- Galicia - Galician Literature Day
- International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo - Liberation Day
- Ireland - National Famine Memorial Day
- Argentina - Navy Day
Famous Birthdays
- 1903 – Cool Papa Bell, baseball player
- 1912 – Ace Parker, baseball and football player
- 1955 – Bill Paxton, Big Love
- 1956 – Sugar Ray Leonard, American boxer
- 1956 – Bob Saget, American actor
- 1965 – Trent Reznor, Nine Inch Nails
- 1970 – Jordan Knight, New Kids on the Block
- 1982 – Matt Cassel, NFL player
- 1983 – Channing Frye, NBA player
- 1983 – Chris Henry, NFL player
- 1985 – Matt Ryan, NFL player
- 1986 – Tahj Mowry, Smart Guy
- 1988 – Nikki Reed, Twilight
Famous Deaths
- 1996 – Kevin Gilbert, American singer
- 2002 – Dave Berg, American cartoonist
- 2004 – Tony Randall, American actor
- 2005 – Frank Gorshin, American actor
- 2007 – Lloyd Alexander, author
Music Chart Toppers
Top Box Office Movies
References
Fast Facts
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