Thursday, 17th May 1984 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! It's World Telecommunication Day and International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. Explore 55 historical events, birthdays, deaths, and milestones that shaped this day in London. From remarkable moments in local and world history to the people who left their mark — find out what makes today special. Today's weather in London brings rainy with temperatures between 8°C and 14°C. Tonight's moon is in its new moon phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Taurus. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Thursday, 17th May in London, GB.
On 17 May 1984, London experienced rainy conditions as the city settled into the month of May under a new moon. The capital of England, situated on the River Thames in South East England, serves as the United Kingdom's largest metropolitan area and primary centre for politics, culture and commerce. The date fell during Taurus season, a period associated with stability and practicality in the zodiac calendar.
Throughout history, 17 May has marked several significant moments that shaped international affairs and social progress. In 1974, the Ulster Volunteer Force detonated a series of car bombs in Dublin and Monaghan, Ireland, killing 34 people and injuring almost 300 others in one of the bloodiest days of the Troubles. More recently, in 2000, the date witnessed violence of a different nature when British and Turkish hooligans rioted on the day of the UEFA Cup Final in Copenhagen, Denmark, following the killing of two English football fans by Galatasaray supporters in the previous month. These events underscore how a single date can contain vastly different historical narratives across centuries and continents.
Anne of Denmark, crowned queen consort of Scotland at Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh on 17 May 1590, represented another pivotal moment in the date's historical record. Her coronation ceremony marked an important occasion in Scottish royal history and demonstrated the ceremonial significance placed on such occasions during the Renaissance period.
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What the Weather Had in Store for London on 17th May 1984
Stone remembers the river that shaped it long after water passes.
Fortune of the Day
17th May in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on May 17th blend Taurus dependability with Mercury's intellect into a compelling presence. They think practically, communicate articulately, and find beauty in simple things. Master Number 22 gifts them spiritual depth that transcends material concerns.
Strengths & Weaknesses Their greatest strength lies in transforming smart ideas into tangible reality. Steadfastness and intellectual sharpness are signature assets. However, stubbornness and perfectionist tendencies can stall relationships and projects if unchecked.
Love In relationships, these individuals are loyal, sensual, and emotionally profound. They value intellectual connection alongside physical attraction. Taking time to trust is natural; those who win their hearts receive unwavering devotion.
Caree & Finance Professionally, they excel in fields merging creativity with strategy: architecture, financial planning, craftsmanship. Financial security matters deeply, but not at any cost; they build sustainable wealth thoughtfully. Entrepreneurship suits their nature well.
Health Self-care is no luxury for these natives but a necessity. A balanced lifestyle with movement, nutritious eating, and relaxation keeps them centered. Stress relief through nature and creative hobbies proves essential.
That night, the moon was in its new moon phase.
Chinese year of the Rat (Wood).
Fun Facts About 17th May
Name Days in Your Language: Pascal, Pascha, Pascual, Turner
Someone born on this day in 1984 would be 41 years old today — just 15,302 days into life, which is roughly 367,261 hours, 22,035,674 minutes, or 1,322,140,477 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 138. day of the year.
As this is a leap year, there are 228 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 20 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 17th May
- Edvald Boasson Hagen, Norwegian cyclist (1987)
- Aleandro Rosi, Italian footballer (1987)
- Marius Činikas, Lithuanian footballer (1986)
- Timo Simonlatser, Estonian skier (1986)
- Jodie Taylor, English footballer (1986)
- Teófilo Gutiérrez, Colombian footballer (1985)
- Derek Hough, American actor, singer, and dancer (1985)
- Christine Nesbitt, Canadian speed skater (1985)
- Todd Redmond, American baseball player (1985)
- Matt Ryan, American football player (1985)
Lives Remembered on 17th May
- Bud Anderson, American World War II flying ace (born 1922) (2024)
- Sid Going, New Zealand rugby union footballer (born 1943) (2024)
- Vangelis, Greek musician, composer (born 1943) (2022)
- Lucky Peterson, American blues singer, keyboardist and guitarist (born 1964) (2020)
- Herman Wouk, American author (born 1915) (2019)
- Todor Veselinović, Serbian football player and manager (born 1930) (2017)
- Lionel Pickens, American rapper (born 1983) (2015)
- Gerald Edelman, American biologist and immunologist, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1929) (2014)
- C. P. Krishnan Nair, Indian businessman, founded The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts (born 1922) (2014)
- Douangchay Phichit, Laotian politician (born 1944) (2014)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 17th May
- Birthday of the Raja (Perlis)
- Christian feast day: Giulia Salzano
- Christian feast day: Paschal Baylon
- Christian feast day: William Hobart Hare (Episcopal Church (USA))
- Christian feast day: Restituta
- Christian feast day: May 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Children's Day (Norway)
- Constitution Day (Nauru)
- Constitution Day (Norway)
- Feast of ‘Aẓamat (Baháʼí Faith, day shifts with March Equinox, see List of observances set by the Baháʼí calendar)
- Galician Literature Day or Día das Letras Galegas (Galicia)
- International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
- Liberation Day (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Navy Day (Argentina)
- World Hypertension Day
- World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (International)
What Happened on 17th May?
- Iran–Iraq War: An Iraqi Dassault Mirage F1 fighter jet fires two missiles into the U.S. Navy warship USS Stark, killing 37 and injuring 21 of her crew. (1987)
- Prince Charles calls a proposed addition to the National Gallery, London, a "monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend", sparking controversies on the proper role of the Royal Family and the course of modern architecture. (1984)
- The U.S. Department of Energy declassifies documents showing world's largest mercury pollution event in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (ultimately found to be 4.2 million pounds [1.9 kt]), in response to the Appalachian Observer's Freedom of Information Act request. (1983)
- Lebanon, Israel, and the United States sign an agreement on Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. (1983)
- General Chun Doo-hwan of South Korea seizes control of the government and declares martial law in order to suppress student demonstrations. (1980)
- 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. (1980)
- Nolan Bushnell opened the first Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre (later renamed Chuck E. Cheese) in San Jose, California. (1977)