What Happened on August 17?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON AUGUST 17
Explore the most important historical events that happened on August 17, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Battle of Gainesville
Year:
1864
American Civil War: Battle of Gainesville: Confederate forces defeat Union troops near Gainesville, Florida.
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Grand Duchy of Baden
Year:
1866
The Grand Duchy of Baden announces its withdrawal from the German Confederation and signs a treaty of peace and alliance with Prussia.
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Richard Wagner
Year:
1876
Richard Wagner's Götterdämmerung, the last opera in his Ring cycle, premieres at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus.
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Charleston, South Carolina
Year:
1863
American Civil War: In Charleston, South Carolina, Union batteries and ships bombard Confederate-held Fort Sumter.
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American Indian Wars
Year:
1862
American Indian Wars: The Dakota War of 1862 begins in Minnesota as Dakota warriors attack white settlements along the Minnesota River.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Year:
1836
British parliament accepts registration of births, marriages and deaths.
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American Civil War
Year:
1862
American Civil War: Major General J. E. B. Stuart is assigned command of all the cavalry of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
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Dominican Republic
Year:
1883
The first public performance of the Dominican Republic's national anthem, Himno Nacional.
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BIRTHS ON AUGUST 17
Discover famous people and historical figures born on August 17, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Duke Pearson
Year of birth:
1932
Duke Pearson, American pianist and composer (died 1980)
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V. S. Naipaul
Year of birth:
1932
V. S. Naipaul, Trinidadian-English novelist and essayist, Nobel Prize laureate (died 2018)
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Jean-Jacques Sempé
Year of birth:
1932
Jean-Jacques Sempé, French cartoonist (died 2022)
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Tony Wrigley
Year of birth:
1931
Tony Wrigley, English historian, demographer, and academic (died 2022)
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Harve Bennett
Year of birth:
1930
Harve Bennett, American screenwriter and producer (died 2015)
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Ron Henry
Year of birth:
1934
Ron Henry, English footballer (died 2014)
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João Donato
Year of birth:
1934
João Donato, Brazilian pianist and composer (died 2023)
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Luther Allison
Year of birth:
1939
Luther Allison, American blues guitarist and singer (died 1997)
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DEATHS ON AUGUST 17
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on August 17, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Ioan Slavici
Year of death:
1925
Ioan Slavici, Romanian journalist and author (born 1848)
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Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Year of death:
1935
Charlotte Perkins Gilman, American sociologist and author (born 1860)
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José María of Manila
Year of death:
1936
José María of Manila, Spanish-Filipino priest and martyr (born 1880)
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Billy Fiske
Year of death:
1940
Billy Fiske, American soldier and pilot (born 1911)
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Tom Kendall
Year of death:
1924
Tom Kendall, English-Australian cricketer and journalist (born 1851)
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Ray Chapman
Year of death:
1920
Ray Chapman, American baseball player (born 1891)
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Hans Gude
Year of death:
1903
Hans Gude, Norwegian-German painter and academic (born 1825)
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Radoje Domanović
Year of death:
1908
Radoje Domanović, Serbian satirist and journalist (born 1873)
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HOLIDAYS ON AUGUST 17
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on August 17 around the world.
Samuel Johnson (American educator)
Christian feast day: Samuel Johnson, Timothy Cutler, and Thomas Bradbury Chandler (Episcopal Church)
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August 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: August 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Independence Day (Indonesia)
Independence Day, celebrates the independence proclamation of Indonesia from Japan in 1945.
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Beatrice of Silva
Christian feast day: Saint Beatrice of Silva
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Mammes of Caesarea
Christian feast day: Saint Mammes of Caesarea
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Clare of Montefalco
Christian feast day: Saint Clare of Montefalco
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Hyacinth of Poland
Christian feast day: Saint Hyacinth of Poland
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Jeanne Delanoue
Christian feast day: Saint Jeanne Delanoue
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