1. In 1876, Colorado became the 38th state to join the United States of America on May 17th. This day is now celebrated as Colorado Statehood Day.

2. The infamous Ludlow Massacre occurred on May 17, 1914, in which striking coal miners and their families were attacked by the Colorado National Guard and hired gunmen. The massacre resulted in the deaths of 21 people, including 11 children.

3. The Denver Mint, which produces coins for circulation, was established on May 17, 1906. It is the only mint that has ever produced coins in the United States.

4. The Air Force Academy was dedicated on May 17, 1959, in Colorado Springs. It is one of the country's most prestigious military academies and is responsible for training the next generation of Air Force officers.

5. The Folsom Culture, an ancient Paleo-Indian civilization that inhabited the Colorado area approximately 10,000 years ago, is believed to have hunted mammoths and other large animals in the region. The discovery of Folsom points, a type of stone tool, near the town of Folsom, New Mexico, on May 17, 1927, provided significant evidence of this culture's existence.