Also on This Day in History May 17
Discover what happened on May 17 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.
Births on This Day, May 17
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1934
Ronald Wayne
American computer scientist and author who co founded Apple Inc.
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1749
Edward Jenner
English physician, father of (western) immunology, pioneered smallpox vaccinations
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1886
Alfonso XIII
King of Spain (1886-1931)
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1932
Rodric Braithwaite
British ambassador to USSR
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1956
Dave Sim
Canadian cartoonist
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1931
Marshall Applewhite
American cult leader who founded Heaven's Gate and organized their mass suicide in 1997
Deaths on This Day, May 17
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1727
Catherine I
Empress of Russia (1725-27)
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1996
Rusi Modi
Indian cricketer
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2002
James Chichester-Clark
Irish politician, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland (1969-71)
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2013
Jorge Rafael Videla (1925-2013)
Argentine military officer and dictator (1976-81)
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1886
John Deere
Australian lawyer, and gay rights activist
1620
The 1st merry-go-round is seen at a fair in Philippapolis, Turkey
The 1st merry-go-round is seen at a fair in Philippapolis, Turkey on 17th May, 1620.
1865
The International Telegraph Union is established in Paris
The International Telegraph Union is established in Paris and later renamed as the International Telecommunication Union
1932
US Congress changes name "Porto Rico" to "Puerto Rico"
The United States Congress changed the name "Porto Rico" to "Puerto Rico" on May 17, 1932. This change officially recognized the Spanish spelling of the island's name, which means "Rich Port" in Spanish.
1979
Coldest temperature ever recorded in Hawaii - 12°F (-11°C)
The coldest temperature ever recorded in Hawaii was 12°F (approximately -11°C). This record occurred at the Mauna Kea Observatory on May 17, 1979.