Daily Archives: May 17, 2017

37 American sailors killed when Iraqi warplane attacks 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1977)


Video: 'Remembering USS STARK (FFG-31)'

(Sunday, May 17, 1987, 10:10 p.m. local time) — 37 American sailors were killed tonight when an Iraqi warplane attacked the U.S. Navy frigate Stark in the Persian Gulf (click here to watch news reports at the time). Continue reading 37 American sailors killed when Iraqi warplane attacks 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1977)

‘King Lear’ premieres at Cannes Film Festival 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1987)


Video: 'King Lear (Jean-Luc Godard, 1987)'

(Sunday, May 17, 1987)King Lear, a film about a wealthy corporate executive who arrives in Switzerland in search of a reclusive filmmaker to reaffirm his faith in the art form, premiered today at the Cannes Film Festival. Continue reading ‘King Lear’ premieres at Cannes Film Festival 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1987)

Paul McCartney holds a live televised town hall in London 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1997)


Video: '1997 The World Tonight' (10 videos)

(Saturday, May 17, 1997, 6:00 p.m. BST)Paul McCartney’s Town Hall Meeting, a question and answer event hosted by John Fugelsang featuring the former Beatle, was transmitted live tonight on VH-1 from Bishopsgate Memorial Hall, in Bishopsgate, East London. Continue reading Paul McCartney holds a live televised town hall in London 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1997)

Martin Luther King Jr. delivers first national speech 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1957)


Video: 'Martin Luther King Jr. 'Give Us the Ballot' May 17, 1957'

(Friday, May 17, 1957, afternoon EDT) — The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., 28, delivered his first national speech, titled “Give Us the Ballot,” advocating voting rights for African-Americans, during the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom gathering at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Continue reading Martin Luther King Jr. delivers first national speech 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1957)