Historical Events
- -18] Allied air raid on Surabaja, Java
- Chinese and US armed forces take Myitkyina Airport, Burma
- Operation Straightline: Allies land in Dutch New Guinea
D-Day Date Set
US General Dwight Eisenhower sets D-Day for June 5
Famous Birthdays
- Arif Butt, Pakistani cricket pace bowler (3 Tests, 14 wickets; Lahore, Pakistan Railways), born in Lahore, Pakistan (d. 2007)
- Jesse Winchester, American-Canadian musician and songwriter ("Yankee Lady"; "Say What"), born in Bossier City, Louisiana (d. 2014)
Famous Deaths
- Félix Éboué, French colonial administrator, dies at 60
Died in 1944 1944 Highlights
About May 17, 1944
Day of the Week: Wednesday
How Long Ago? 80 years, 1 month and 21 days
Leap Year: Yes
Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Taurus
