CalEvents:May/May 17
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for May 17
Date
Event
Significance
May 17, 1954
Brown v. Board of Education decision
On this day, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, declaring racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This decision was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement and marked the beginning of the end for legalized segregation in the United States.
May 17, 1963
Organization of African Unity (OAU) convenes in Addis Ababa
On this day, African heads of state met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to lay the groundwork for the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which would be officially established on May 25, 1963. The OAU was created to promote African unity and support for liberation movements across the continent.
May 17, 1983
Jesse Jackson announces bid for U.S. presidency
On this day, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson announced his candidacy for the U.S. presidency, becoming the first African-American man to make a serious bid for the Democratic Party’s nomination. Jackson’s campaign energized African-American voters and pushed issues of racial and economic inequality to the forefront of national politics.
May 17, 1990
World Health Organization declassifies homosexuality as a mental illness
On this day, the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. This decision was significant for LGBTQ+ rights movements globally, including within African and African-American communities, where activists have continued to fight against homophobia and for greater equality.
May 17, 2000
Death of Adam Clayton Powell III, African-American politician and activist
On this day, Adam Clayton Powell III, a prominent African-American politician and civil rights leader, passed away. Powell was the first African-American elected to Congress from New York, and he played a significant role in advancing civil rights legislation during his tenure.
May 17, 2011
Violence breaks out in Nigeria following presidential elections
On this day, violence erupted in Nigeria following the presidential elections, which saw Goodluck Jonathan win a second term in office. The post-election violence highlighted ongoing ethnic and religious tensions in Nigeria, particularly between the predominantly Muslim north and Christian south.
May 17, 2015
Protests continue in Burundi over President Nkurunziza’s third term bid
On this day, protests continued in Burundi as citizens demonstrated against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term, which many viewed as unconstitutional. The protests led to a political crisis in the country, resulting in significant unrest and displacement.