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Major Events of May 1917: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from May 1917 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of May 1917: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 May 1917 Massive Anti-War Protest in Petrograd: Over 100,000 Bolshevik-organized protesters gathered in Petrograd to demonstrate against the Russian Provisional Government's commitment to continue fighting in World War I. This massive protest, led by Pavel Milyukov's opposition, was a pivotal moment in the Russian Revolution.
  • 02 May 1917 Anti-War Peace Council Established: The People's Council of America for Democracy and the Terms of Peace was founded in New York City, representing a significant anti-war movement opposing the United States' involvement in World War I.
  • 03 May 1917 Ernest Bloch's Symphony "Israel" Debuts: The first performance of Ernest Bloch's groundbreaking symphony "Israel" took place, marking a significant moment in early 20th-century classical music. Bloch, a Swiss-born American composer known for his Jewish-themed compositions, premiered this work, which likely reflected his cultural heritage and musical exploration of Jewish musical traditions.
  • 04 May 1917 Transylvania Troopship Sinking: On May 4, 1917, the British troopship Transylvania was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine SM U-63 in a tragic maritime incident during World War I, resulting in the loss of 402 lives and highlighting the brutal submarine warfare of the period.
  • 05 May 1917 Battle of Vardar in Macedonia: The Battle of Vardar begins in Macedonia during World War I, involving Allied forces fighting against Central Powers. The battle will continue until May 22, 1917, representing a significant military engagement on the Macedonian Front.
  • 06 May 1917 First German Air Raid on London in World War I: A German aircraft conducted a bombing raid on London, resulting in one civilian fatality. This event represented an escalation of aerial warfare and marked one of the early instances of direct enemy attacks on civilian populations during World War I.
  • 07 May 1917 Battle of the Crna Bend During World War I: During World War I, the Allies intensified their bombardment of Central Powers defenses along the Crna River in Serbia. Despite four days of sustained shelling that resulted in 945 Bulgarian casualties, the Central Powers maintained their defensive positions.
  • 08 May 1917 Battle of Doiran: British Offensive Against Bulgarian Forces: During World War I, a British force of 43,000 men under the command of Lieutenant-General George Milne launched a significant military offensive against a Bulgarian force of 30,000 men led by Colonel Vladimir Vazov at Doiran Lake in Serbia. This was the second offensive attempt following an unsuccessful attack in April, highlighting the strategic importance of the location and the challenging nature of the military engagement.
  • 09 May 1917 First Apparition of Our Lady of Fátima: In a significant religious event, three young peasant children - Lúcia Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto - reported seeing an apparition of the Virgin Mary above a Holm Oak tree in Cova da Iria near Fátima, Portugal. This event would become a pivotal moment in Catholic Marian apparition history.
  • 10 May 1917 Pershing Appointed to Lead US Expeditionary Force: Major General John J. Pershing was appointed to command the United States Expeditionary Force, a pivotal moment in U.S. military involvement in World War I. This appointment signaled America's increasing commitment to the European conflict and would prove crucial in the war's later stages.
  • 11 May 1917 Battle of the Crna Bend during World War I: On May 11, 1917, during World War I, German and Bulgarian forces initiated strategic counter-maneuvers against Allied patrols along the Crna River in Serbia. These military operations were part of the complex defensive strategies employed by the Central Powers to maintain their positions in the Balkan theater of war.
  • 12 May 1917 Tenth Battle of the Isonzo Begins: The Tenth Battle of the Isonzo was a significant military engagement during World War I, fought between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies along the Isonzo River in present-day Slovenia. This battle was part of a series of twelve battles in the region, characterized by intense fighting and high casualties on both sides.
  • 13 May 1917 First Marian Apparition at Fatima: On May 13, 1917, three shepherd children - Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia - reported seeing an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary near Fatima, Portugal. The children described seeing a woman brighter than the sun, wearing a white mantle edged with gold, who asked them to pray the Rosary daily for peace and an end to World War I.
  • 14 May 1917 British Navy Destroys German Zeppelin L22 in North Sea: During World War I, British naval forces successfully shot down the German airship L22 in a strategic engagement in the North Sea. This incident represented part of the ongoing aerial warfare between British and German forces, highlighting the emerging importance of aerial combat and naval air defense strategies during the conflict.
  • 15 May 1917 Naval Clash in Straits of Otranto: During World War I, a significant naval engagement occurred in the Straits of Otranto between British and Austrian naval forces. In this intense maritime confrontation, fourteen British drifters were sunk, highlighting the brutal naval warfare of the conflict.
  • 16 May 1917 Kerensky Becomes Russian Minister of War: Alexander Kerensky, a prominent socialist revolutionary and key figure in the Russian Provisional Government, succeeded Alexei Guchkov as Minister of War during a critical period of political transition following the February Revolution of 1917. This appointment was significant in the context of Russia's continued participation in World War I and the complex political landscape leading up to the October Revolution.
  • 17 May 1917 British Admiralty Establishes Merchant Shipping Convoy Strategy: During World War I, the British Admiralty recognized the critical vulnerability of merchant shipping to German U-boat attacks. On May 17, 1917, they formally appointed a specialized committee tasked with developing a comprehensive convoy system to protect maritime trade routes. This strategic decision was a direct response to the increasing losses of merchant vessels, which threatened Britain's vital supply lines and war effort. The committee's work would ultimately lead to a systematic approach of grouping merchant ships together and providing military escort, significantly reducing shipping losses and improving maritime defense.
  • 18 May 1917 American Expeditionary Force Ordered to France: The first units of the American Expeditionary Force, commanded by General John J. Pershing, are officially ordered to deploy to France during World War I, marking a significant escalation of U.S. military involvement in the European conflict.
  • 19 May 1917 United States Commits Troops to World War I: The United States government officially announced its intention to send a full Division to France, signaling a significant escalation of American military involvement in World War I. This decision marked a crucial turning point in the war, as the fresh American troops would provide critical support to the Allied forces.
  • 20 May 1917 Battle of the Hills: French Offensive in France: During World War I, French forces launched a major assault on the German defensive line between Mont Cornillet and Le Téton. The strategic attack was successful, resulting in the capture of 985 German prisoners and representing a significant tactical victory for the French military.
  • 21 May 1917 First American Drafted in World War I: Leo Pinckney became the first American to be drafted into military service during World War I on May 21, 1917, symbolizing the United States' formal entry into the global conflict.
  • 22 May 1917 Battle of Vardar Concludes: The Battle of Vardar, a significant military engagement during World War I that began on May 5, 1917, concluded on May 22, 1917. This battle was part of the broader Macedonian Front, involving Allied forces fighting against Central Powers in the challenging terrain of the Balkan region.
  • 23 May 1917 Civil Violence in Milan Suppressed: A month of civil unrest in Milan, Italy concludes after the Italian army forcefully takes control of the city from anarchists and anti-war revolutionaries. The military intervention resulted in 50 fatalities and 800 arrests, effectively ending the urban uprising.
  • 25 May 1917 Devastating Tornado Outbreak in American Midwest and Deep South: In late May 1917, a severe and prolonged tornado outbreak struck the American Midwest and Deep South, causing widespread destruction over a 10-day period. The series of tornadoes devastated multiple states, resulting in significant property damage, infrastructure disruption, and potential loss of life. This meteorological event highlighted the region's vulnerability to extreme weather conditions and the unpredictable nature of tornado formations during the spring season.
  • 26 May 1917 Mattoon, Illinois Tornado Disaster: On May 26, 1917, a catastrophic F4 tornado devastated Mattoon, Illinois, marking one of the most destructive tornado events in U.S. history. The tornado was unprecedented in its duration, lasting an extraordinary 7 hours and traveling an incredible 293 miles. The storm claimed 101 lives and left 689 people injured, causing widespread destruction across the region. This event remains a significant meteorological and historical tragedy, highlighting the immense power of severe weather systems.
  • 27 May 1917 French Army Mutiny During World War I: A significant military event during World War I where over 30,000 French troops refuse to advance to the trenches in Missy-aux-Bois, reflecting growing war fatigue and dissatisfaction with the brutal conditions of trench warfare. This mutiny highlighted the psychological and physical strain on soldiers during the conflict.
  • 28 May 1917 East St. Louis Race Riot Erupts: A devastating racial violence incident began in East St. Louis, Illinois, triggered by racially charged rumors and underlying racial tensions. Angry white mobs systematically attacked African American citizens, targeting pedestrians, streetcar, and trolley passengers in a horrific display of racial violence. This event was part of a broader pattern of racial unrest and discrimination during the early 20th century, highlighting the severe racial tensions in American urban centers.
  • 29 May 1917 Birth of John F. Kennedy: John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, to a prominent political family. He would later become the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 to 1963, and is remembered as one of the most iconic and influential leaders of the 20th century. Kennedy was a Democrat who represented Massachusetts in the Senate before his presidential election, and his presidency was marked by significant events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and early civil rights initiatives.
  • 30 May 1917 Battle of the Hills during World War I: On May 30, 1917, during World War I, the Battle of the Hills took place, where German forces attempted but failed to recapture Mont Blond from the French military. This engagement was part of the broader conflict on the Western Front.
  • 31 May 1917 First Jazz Record Released: Dark Town Strutters Ball: On May 31, 1917, a significant milestone in music history occurred with the release of the first jazz record, 'Dark Town Strutters Ball'. This recording marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of American musical genres, capturing the emerging sound of jazz that would go on to profoundly influence global music culture.