Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
May 17 Sunday, May 17, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 17 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
8
Holidays
Royalty 490 years ago
George Boleyn, 2nd Viscount Rochford and four other men are executed for treason.
George Boleyn, 2nd Viscount Rochford, and four other men are executed for treason after being convicted of conspiring against King Henry VIII.
History
What happened on May 17
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 352Religion
Election of Pope Liberius following the death of Pope Julius I in the previous month.
Liberius is elected pope following the death of Julius I.
- 884Religion
Election of Pope Hadrian III following the death of Pope Marinus I earlier that month.
Hadrian III is elected pope, succeeding Marinus I.
- 1395War
Battle of Rovine: The Wallachians defeat an invading Ottoman army.
Wallachian forces triumph over an Ottoman invasion force at the Battle of Rovine.
- 1536Royalty
George Boleyn, 2nd Viscount Rochford and four other men are executed for treason.
George Boleyn, 2nd Viscount Rochford, and four other men are executed for treason after being convicted of conspiring against King Henry VIII.
- 1536Royalty
Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn's marriage is annulled.
Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn is annulled, marking the end of their six-year union.
- 1639World history
The treaty of Zuhab ends the fifteen-year-long war between the Ottomans and the Safavids.
The Treaty of Zuhab concludes the prolonged conflict between the Ottoman Empire and the Safavid dynasty.
- 1648European history
An allied French and Swedish army defeats Imperial and Bavarian forces in the Battle of Zusmarshausen.
Swedish and French troops defeat Imperial and Bavarian forces in the Battle of Zusmarshausen, one of the final major engagements of the Thirty Years' War.
- 1756World history
Seven Years' War formally begins when Great Britain declares war on France.
Great Britain declares war on France, marking the start of the Seven Years' War.
- 1792US history
The New York Stock Exchange is formed under the Buttonwood Agreement.
Twenty-four brokers sign the Buttonwood Agreement beneath a sycamore tree on Wall Street, establishing what becomes the New York Stock Exchange.
- 1814European history
Occupation of Monaco changes from French to Austrian.
Monaco's occupation shifts from France to Austria.
- 1863Culture
Rosalía de Castro publishes Cantares Gallegos, the first book in the Galician language.
Rosalía de Castro publishes "Cantares Gallegos," marking the debut of literature in the Galician language.
- 1980Politics
On the eve of presidential elections, Maoist guerrilla group Shining Path attacks a polling location in Chuschi (a town in Ayacucho), starting the Internal conflict in Peru.
Shining Path launches an attack on a polling station in Chuschi, marking the beginning of the internal conflict in Peru.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 17
7 this date All birthdays
Earl Morrall
American football player and coach
Earl Edwin Morrall, an American football quarterback who played 21 seasons in the NFL and became recognized as one of the greatest backup quarterbacks in league history, was born today in 1934.
Born
1934
Died
2014
Henry Paget
1st Marquess of Anglesey, English general and politician, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
1768 – 1854
David Cope
American composer and author
1941 – 2025
Danny Manning
American basketball player and coach
b. 1966 · 60
Tony Parker
French-American basketball player
b. 1982 · 44
Christine Ohuruogu
English runner
b. 1984 · 42
Tessa Virtue
Canadian ice dancer
b. 1989 · 37
Music
The number one songs on May 17
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Espresso"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Body"— Tion Wayne and Russ Millions
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport May 17, 1939
The Columbia Lions and the Princeton Tigers play in the United States' first televised sporting event, a collegiate baseball game in New York City.
The Columbia Lions and the Princeton Tigers play the United States' first televised sporting event, a college baseball game in New York City.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 17, 1902
Greek archaeologist Valerios Stais discovers the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient mechanical analog computer.
Valerios Stais discovers the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient complex device used to track astronomical positions.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Birthday of the Raja (Perlis)
International
Public holidays in Malaysia are regulated at both federal and state levels, mainly based on a list of federal holidays observed nationwide plus a few additional holidays observed by each individual st
Children's Day (Norway)
International
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country
Constitution Day (Nauru)
International
Constitution Day is a holiday to honour the constitution of a country
Constitution Day (Norway)
International
Constitution Day is the National Day of Norway, observed annually with an official public holiday on 17 May
Galician Literature Day or Día das Letras Galegas (Galicia)
International
Galician Literature Day is a public holiday observed in Galicia, Spain
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
International
The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) is observed on 17 May and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBTQ rights violations and stim
❝
Why should Galicia remain silent, when everything in the world sings?
— Rosalía de Castro · born May 17, 1837