This day in history: 17 may

Europa

Norwegian Constitution Day (1814)

• On 17 May 1814, Norway signed its constitution at Eidsvoll, declaring itself an independent kingdom after the Napoleonic Wars. This date is now celebrated as Norway’s Constitution Day, marked by parades, flag-flying, and public festivities across the country.

Battle of Rovine (1395)

• The Wallachians, led by Mircea the Elder, defeated an invading Ottoman army, a significant event in medieval Eastern European history.

Protocol of Corfu (1914)

• The Protocol of Corfu was signed, granting full autonomy to Northern Epirus under nominal Albanian sovereignty, an important moment in Balkan history.

Formation of Nasjonal Samling (1933)

• In Norway, Vidkun Quisling and Johan Bernhard Hjort founded Nasjonal Samling, a national-socialist party that would later collaborate with Nazi Germany during World War II.

German Occupation of Brussels (1940)

• During World War II, German forces occupied Brussels, Belgium, marking a key moment in the German advance through Western Europe.

Democratic Europe Day

• In recent years, 17 May has also been marked as “Democratic Europe Day” by activists across the continent, with events promoting democracy held in numerous European cities.

America

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

• The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously declared that racially segregated public schools were unconstitutional, a landmark decision that became a major milestone in the Civil Rights Movement.

First Kentucky Derby (1875)

• The inaugural Kentucky Derby horse race was held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, starting a tradition that continues annually.

Massachusetts Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage (2004)

• Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage, with the first marriages performed on May 17, 2004. This occurred exactly 14 years after the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses.

USS Stark Incident (1987)

• The U.S. Navy frigate USS Stark was hit by two Iraqi Exocet missiles during the Iran-Iraq War, resulting in the deaths of 37 American sailors.

Asia

Tiananmen Square Hunger Strike Begins (China, 1989)

• On May 17, 1989, hundreds of student protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square began a hunger strike, demanding political reforms and dialogue with the Chinese government. This act drew widespread public support and marked a pivotal escalation in the pro-democracy movement, leading up to the declaration of martial law and the tragic events of early June.

Martial Law Declared in South Korea (1980)

• On May 17, 1980, South Korean leader Chun Doo-hwan declared martial law, arrested opposition leaders, and closed universities to suppress growing demands for democracy. This action directly led to the Gwangju Uprising, a major pro-democracy protest that was violently suppressed by the military.

Notable Births and Deaths in India

• May 17 marks the birth anniversary of several notable Indian figures, including historian Govind Sakharam Sardesai and actress Santhakumari. It is also the death anniversary of spiritual leader Gururaj Ananda Yogi and poet K. Doraiswamy.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

• Celebrated annually on May 17, this international observance marks the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 1865 and raises awareness about the importance of communication technologies.

Recent Diplomatic Event (2023)

• On May 17, 2023, Canada and South Korea signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation on critical minerals and clean energy, reflecting ongoing strategic partnerships in Asia.

Africa

Laurent-Désiré Kabila Becomes President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997)

• On May 17, 1997, Laurent-Désiré Kabila entered Kinshasa and became president, marking the end of Mobutu Sese Seko’s long military dictatorship. This event was a turning point in Congolese and African political history, as it ended over three decades of authoritarian rule and initiated a new era for the DRC.

National Day of the Revolution and the FARDC (DRC)

• May 17 is celebrated as the National Day of the Revolution and the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo), commemorating Kabila’s rise to power and the role of the military in the country’s transformation.

Other Notable Mentions

• While May 17 is not widely marked by major continent-wide events in Africa, it is a date of democratic milestones and leadership transitions, as well as a day for recognizing the continent’s ongoing struggles and achievements.