On May 17, history reveals a tapestry of significant events across centuries. From pivotal battles like the 1268 Battle of Tagliacozzo to Allied victories in 1943 during World War II, this date marks moments of change. Births of icons like Davy Crockett and cultural milestones also emerge. What other remarkable occurrences shaped this day? The layers of May 17 await exploration for those curious about the past.
History
Major Historical Events
1268 – Battle of Tagliacozzo Aftermath: On this day, the aftermath of the Battle of Tagliacozzo saw Charles of Anjou consolidating his power in southern Italy after defeating Conradin, the last legitimate male heir of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, in a decisive conflict that had taken place a few months earlier.
This event marked a significant shift in the control of the Kingdom of Sicily.
1597 – Founding of the First English Colony in Newfoundland: Sir Humphrey Gilbert, an English explorer, claimed St. John’s, Newfoundland, as the first North American English colony under the authority of Queen Elizabeth I.
This marked an early step in English colonial expansion in the New World, though the settlement was not permanent at the time.
1863 – Bombardment of Fort Sumter Continues: During the American Civil War, Union forces continued their bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.
This sustained attack was part of a larger effort to weaken Confederate defenses in the strategically important port city.
1943 – U.S. and Allied Forces Capture Messina: In World War II, U.S. and Allied troops completed the capture of Messina, Sicily, marking the end of the Allied campaign to liberate the island from Axis control.
This victory was a critical step in the broader Mediterranean Theater of Operations.
1970 – Venera 7 Launch by the Soviet Union: The Soviet Union launched Venera 7, a spacecraft destined for Venus.
It would later become the first spacecraft to successfully transmit data from the surface of another planet, marking a milestone in space exploration.
Famous Birthdays
1786 – Davy Crockett: Born on this day in Limestone, Tennessee, Davy Crockett was an American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician.
Known as the “King of the Wild Frontier,” he became a legendary figure for his role in the Texas Revolution and his death at the Battle of the Alamo.
1893 – Mae West: Mae West, an American actress, singer, playwright, and sex symbol, was born in Brooklyn, New York.
Her witty and provocative style made her a Hollywood icon, starring in films like “She Done Him Wrong” and becoming a cultural figure for her bold personality.
1943 – Robert De Niro: Acclaimed American actor Robert De Niro was born in New York City.
Known for his intense and transformative performances in films like “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” and “The Godfather Part II,” De Niro is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation.
1960 – Sean Penn: Sean Penn, an American actor and filmmaker, was born in Santa Monica, California.
With powerful performances in movies such as “Mystic River” and “Milk,” both of which earned him Academy Awards, Penn has established himself as a versatile and influential figure in cinema.
1988 – Kacey Musgraves: Country music singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves was born in Golden, Texas.
Known for her progressive take on country music, she gained widespread acclaim with albums like “Same Trailer Different Park” and “Golden Hour,” the latter winning the Grammy for Album of the Year.
Notable Deaths
1786 – Frederick the Great: Frederick II, King of Prussia, passed away on this day in Potsdam.
A brilliant military strategist and enlightened ruler, he transformed Prussia into a major European power during his reign, leaving a lasting legacy in military and political history.
1850 – José de San Martín: José de San Martín, a key figure in South America’s struggle for independence from Spain, died in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France.
As a military leader, he played a pivotal role in the liberation of Argentina, Chile, and Peru.
1983 – Ira Gershwin: American lyricist Ira Gershwin died on this day in Beverly Hills, California.
Collaborating with his brother George Gershwin, he wrote timeless songs for Broadway and film, including classics like “I Got Rhythm” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
Today in Music History
1969 – Woodstock Festival Continues: On this day, the iconic Woodstock Music & Art Fair was in full swing in Bethel, New York.
Performances by legendary artists like The Who and Jefferson Airplane captivated the massive crowd, cementing the event as a defining moment in music and counterculture history.
1974 – Eric Clapton’s “I Shot the Sheriff” Released: Eric Clapton released his cover of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” as a single from his album “461 Ocean Boulevard.”
The song became a massive hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and introducing reggae to a broader audience.
1991 – Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Video Filmed: Nirvana filmed the music video for “Smells Like Teen Spirit” on this day in Culver City, California.
The video, with its raw energy and rebellious spirit, became an anthem for the grunge movement and a cultural phenomenon on MTV.
Today in Sports History
1904 – First Automobile Race on Mount Washington: The first recorded automobile race up Mount Washington in New Hampshire took place on this day.
Known as the “Climb to the Clouds,” it remains one of the oldest motorsport events in the United States.
1966 – Muhammad Ali Defends Heavyweight Title: Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, defended his world heavyweight boxing title against Brian London in London, England.
Ali knocked out London in the third round, further solidifying his dominance in the sport.
2016 – Usain Bolt Wins 100m at Rio Olympics: Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won the 100-meter race at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, securing his third consecutive Olympic gold in the event.
His time of 9.81 seconds added to his legacy as the fastest man in the world.
Today in Military and Naval History
1812 – USS Constitution Defeats HMS Guerriere: During the War of 1812, the USS Constitution, nicknamed “Old Ironsides,” defeated the British frigate HMS Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia.
This naval victory boosted American morale and marked a significant early success in the conflict.
1942 – Dieppe Raid in World War II: Allied forces, primarily Canadian troops, launched the Dieppe Raid on the German-occupied port of Dieppe, France.
Though the operation was a tactical failure with heavy casualties, it provided valuable lessons for future amphibious assaults like D-Day.
Today in Tech and Science History
1836 – Marc Seguin Patents Wire-Cable Suspension Bridge: French engineer Marc Seguin received a patent for his design of a wire-cable suspension bridge on this day.
His innovation revolutionized bridge construction, making longer and stronger spans possible.
1970 – Venera 7 Launch: As mentioned earlier, the Soviet Union launched Venera 7, a probe that would later become the first spacecraft to land on Venus and transmit data back to Earth, marking a historic achievement in planetary exploration.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1896 – First Issue of “Bridget Jones’s Diary” Column: Helen Fielding’s fictional column “Bridget Jones’s Diary” was first published in The Independent newspaper in the UK on this day.
The column, later adapted into a bestselling novel and film, became a cultural touchstone for its humorous take on modern singledom.
1945 – George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” Published: George Orwell’s satirical novella “Animal Farm” was published on this day in the UK.
A powerful allegory for the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism, the book remains a classic in political literature.
1982 – First Compact Discs Produced: The world’s first commercial compact discs (CDs) were produced on this day in a Philips factory in Germany.
This marked the beginning of a digital revolution in music and data storage, changing the way media was consumed.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1978 – First Successful Transatlantic Balloon Flight Completed: On this day, the first successful transatlantic balloon flight concluded as the Double Eagle II, piloted by Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman, landed in France after taking off from Maine.
The quirky achievement captured global attention.
1987 – Rudolph Hess Dies in Mysterious Circumstances: Rudolph Hess, the last surviving high-ranking Nazi official, died on this day in Spandau Prison under mysterious circumstances at the age of 93.
Officially ruled a suicide, conspiracy theories about his death persist to this day.
Today in History for Kids
1597 – First English Colony in North America: Long ago, an explorer named Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed a place called St. John’s in Newfoundland as the first English colony in North America.
It was like planting a flag to say, “This land belongs to England now!”
1812 – A Ship Called “Old Ironsides” Wins a Battle: During a war between America and Britain, a strong American ship called the USS Constitution beat a British ship.
People started calling it “Old Ironsides” because it was so tough, and it made Americans feel proud.
1970 – A Spacecraft Goes to Venus: The Soviet Union sent a spacecraft called Venera 7 to the planet Venus.
It was the first time humans got information from the surface of another planet, which was super exciting for scientists.
2016 – Usain Bolt Runs Super Fast: A runner named Usain Bolt from Jamaica won a big race at the Olympics in Brazil.
He was so fast that people called him the fastest man in the world, and he won gold medals three times in a row for running!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1268 – A Battle Changed Italy’s Future: After the Battle of Tagliacozzo earlier in the year, May 17 saw Charles of Anjou strengthening his grip on southern Italy, which changed who ruled the area for a long time.
1904 – Racing Up a Mountain: Did you know that the first car race up Mount Washington happened on this day?
Drivers had to zoom up a super steep hill in New Hampshire, and it’s still a famous race called “Climb to the Clouds.”
1978 – Ballooning Across the Ocean: Three adventurers completed the first balloon trip across the Atlantic Ocean on this day.
They flew all the way from America to France in a giant balloon, which was a wild way to travel!
1982 – The Birth of CDs: The very first compact discs, or CDs, were made on this day in Germany.
Before that, people listened to music on tapes or records, but CDs made it easier to play songs with just a tiny disc.