What happened on your birthday?

What’s Your Vietnam War Draft Lottery Number?

The Vietnam War draft lottery ran from 1969 to 1972. If you were born on May 17, would your number have been called?

  • Vietnam War 1969 Lottery
    CalledDrafted
    112
  • Vietnam War 1970 Lottery
    Not CalledNot drafted
    212
  • Vietnam War 1971 Lottery
    Not CalledNot drafted
    270
  • Vietnam War 1972 Lottery
    Not CalledNot drafted
    273

Read on to learn more about the Vietnam war draft lottery.





more events on May 17

  • 1987

    In the Persian Gulf the American guided missile frigate USS Stark is struck by 2 Exocet missiles fired by an Iraqi aircraft; only one detonates, but 37 sailors are killed and 21 are wounded. Whether the launch was deliberate or a mistake is still debated.

  • 1973

    The Senate Watergate Committee begins its hearings.

  • 1954

    The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rules for school integration in Brown v. Board of Education.

  • 1940

    Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium and begins the invasion of France.

  • 1912

    Archibald Cox, special prosecutor in the Watergate hearings, fired by President Richard Nixon.

  • 1903

    James “Cool Papa” Bell, baseball player.

  • 1900

    Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Iranian religious leader.

  • 1881

    Frederick Douglass is appointed recorder of deeds for Washington, D.C.

  • 1875

    The first Kentucky Derby is run in Louisville.

  • 1866

    Erik Alfred Leslie Satie, French composer.

  • 1863

    Union General Ulysses Grant continues his push towards Vicksburg at the Battle of the Big Black River Bridge.

  • 1836

    Joseph Norman Lockyer, British astronomer and discoverer of helium.

  • 1814

    Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden.

  • 1792

    Merchants form the New York Stock Exchange at 70 Wall Street.

  • 1756

  • 1749

    Edward Jenner, physician.

  • 1681

    Louis XIV sends an expedition to aid James II in Ireland. As a result, England declares war on France.

  • 1630

    Italian Jesuit Niccolo Zucchi sees the belts on Jupiter’s surface.

  • 1540

    Afghan chief Sher Khan defeats Mongul Emperor Humayun at Kanauj.

  • 1444

    Sandro Botticelli, painter (The Birth of Venus).