Timeline Thursday 17 May 1900

Events on Thursday 17 May 1900 2

• 1900 L. Frank Baum publishes The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Illustrated children's novel introduces Dorothy and Oz Baum's novel, illustrated by W. W. Denslow, told the story of a Kansas girl swept to a magical land. It became one of the best-selling American children's books and the basis for numerous stage and film adaptations, most famously the 1939 MGM film. Baum went on to write thirteen sequels.
• 1900 Relief of Mafeking British garrison relieved after a 217-day siege A British garrison under Robert Baden-Powell held the South African town of Mafeking against Boer forces for over seven months. Its relief on 17 May 1900 triggered wild public celebration in Britain, giving rise to the verb "mafficking". It became one of the most celebrated episodes of the Second Boer War.