1. May 17, 1792: The New York Stock Exchange was founded on this date in New York City. The NYSE was established as a formal organization for the buying and selling of stocks and bonds, and it has since become the world's largest stock exchange.

2. May 17, 1954: The United States Supreme Court ruled on this date in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This landmark decision paved the way for the desegregation of schools across the country and helped to usher in the Civil Rights Movement.

3. May 17, 1883: The Brooklyn Bridge officially opened on this date, connecting the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. At the time of its opening, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world, and it remains an iconic landmark of New York City to this day.

4. May 17, 1973: The Watergate hearings began on this date, marking the beginning of the investigation into the scandal that ultimately led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. The hearings were held before the Senate Watergate Committee and were televised live, making them some of the most-watched events in television history.

5. May 17, 2004: Same-sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts on this date, making it the first state in the United States to allow same-sex couples to marry. The landmark decision was made by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and it paved the way for similar rulings in other states in the years to come.