Deaths on May 17

Frederick August Otto Schwarz, German-American businessman, founded FAO Schwarz (b. 1836)

Frederick August Otto Schwarz (October 18, 1836 – May 17, 1911) was a German-born American toy retailer known for founding FAO Schwarz.

14 Jan

Amundsen's South Pole expedition
Roald Amundsen's South Pole expedition makes landfall on the eastern edge of the Ross Ice Shelf.
31 May

Porfirio Díaz
The President of Mexico Porfirio Díaz flees the country during the Mexican Revolution.
24 Jul

Machu Picchu
Hiram Bingham III re-discovers Machu Picchu, "the Lost City of the Incas".
29 Aug

Native Americans in the United States
Ishi, considered the last Native American to make contact with European Americans, emerges from the wilderness of northeastern California.
12 Dec

Calcutta
Delhi replaces Calcutta as the capital of India.