This date was chosen due to the fact that on May 17,1865, after two and a half months of difficult negotiations in Paris, the first International Telegraph Agreement was signed and the International Telegraph Union was founded, since 1932 - the International Telecommunication Union.
Дата абраная ў сувязі з тым, што 17 мая 1865 года ў Парыжы было падпісана першае міжнароднае тэлеграфнае пагадненне і быў заснаваны Міжнародны тэлеграфны саюз, з 1932 году - Міжнародны саюз электрасувязі.