On This Day: What happened on 17 May?

Here’s a look at what happened on this day, 17 May, throughout history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.

1900 | The siege of Mafeking (now Mafikeng) during the South African war between the Afrikaaner and British soldiers was lifted.

1971 | Melrose House in Pretoria was opened as a museum by C.R. Swart, the first South African State President.

1978 | The investigation into the death of Steve Biko who was found dead in a Pretoria prison was closed by the South African police because of lack of evidence. 

1994 | The first multi-party elections are held in Malawi.

1994 | Zaire is officially renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

1997 | Laurent-Désiré Kabila became the 3rd President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

READ: On This Day: What happened on 16 May?

DEATHS

2012 | Congolese-Rwandan footballer, Patrick Mafisango (31)

2014 | South African singer, Bongani Masuku (50) 

2017 | Nigerian actress, Moji Olaiya (42) 

2018 | South African cricket and rugby player, Murray Hofmeyr (92) 

2019 | South African racing driver, Neville Lederle (80)

BIRTHDAYS

1954 | South African-English jockey, Michael Roberts 

1960 | South African actor, David Dennis

1976 | Kenyan athlete, Daniel Komen

1990 | South African singer, Jody Williams

SPORT

2020 | Michael Jordan’s autographed trainers Air Nike 1s from 1985 broke the record for the most expensive when they sold for $560,000 (£463,000) in an online auction.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

1973 | Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of my Love” is released. 

2017 | Taylor Swift won 8 awards out of her 14 nominations at the Billboard Music Awards, which include Top Artist, Top Female Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album for 1989.

AFRICA FACT

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the continent. It towers over 19,300 feet, which is so tall that glaciers can be found at its summit even though the mountain is near the equator.