What Happened on March 17?

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events

births

deaths

holidays

EVENTS ON MARCH 17

Explore the most important historical events that happened on March 17, featuring key moments that shaped the world.

Second Polish Republic

Year: 1921

The Second Polish Republic adopts the March Constitution.

SS Utopia

Year: 1891

SS Utopia collides with HMS Anson in the Bay of Gibraltar and sinks, killing 562 of the 880 passengers on board.

Rail transport in Finland

Year: 1862

The first railway line of Finland between cities of Helsinki and Hämeenlinna, called Päärata, is officially opened.

The Holocaust

Year: 1942

Holocaust: The first Jews from the Lvov Ghetto are gassed at the Belzec death camp in what is today eastern Poland.

Ludendorff Bridge

Year: 1945

The Ludendorff Bridge in Remagen, Germany, collapses, ten days after its capture.

University of California, Berkeley

Year: 1950

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley announce the creation of element 98, which they name "californium".

Belgium

Year: 1948

Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom sign the Treaty of Brussels, a precursor to the North Atlantic Treaty establishing NATO.

Kingdom of Italy

Year: 1861

The Kingdom of Italy is proclaimed.

BIRTHS ON MARCH 17

Discover famous people and historical figures born on March 17, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.

Betty Allen

Year of birth: 1927

Betty Allen, American soprano and educator (died 2009)

James Irwin

Year of birth: 1930

James Irwin, American colonel, pilot, and astronaut (died 1991)

Siegfried Lenz

Year of birth: 1926

Siegfried Lenz, Polish-German author and playwright (died 2014)

Gabriele Ferzetti

Year of birth: 1925

Gabriele Ferzetti, Italian actor (died 2015)

Meir Amit

Year of birth: 1921

Meir Amit, Israeli general and politician, 12th Israeli Minister of Communications (died 2009)

Patricia Breslin

Year of birth: 1931

Patricia Breslin, American actress (died 2011)

Dick Curless

Year of birth: 1932

Dick Curless, American country music singer (died 1995)

Fred T. Mackenzie

Year of birth: 1935

Fred T. Mackenzie, American biologist and academic (died 2024)

DEATHS ON MARCH 17

Look back at notable individuals who passed away on March 17, and learn about their lasting influences on history.

John Houlding

Year of death: 1902

John Houlding, English businessman, founded Liverpool Football Club (born 1833)

Jules Ferry

Year of death: 1893

Jules Ferry, French lawyer and politician, 44th Prime Minister of France (born 1832)

Franz Brentano

Year of death: 1917

Franz Brentano, German philosopher and psychologist (born 1838)

Aleksei Brusilov

Year of death: 1926

Aleksei Brusilov, Georgian-Russian general (born 1853)

Bede Jarrett

Year of death: 1934

Bede Jarrett, English Dominican priest (born 1881)

Ferdinand Laub

Year of death: 1875

Ferdinand Laub, Czech violinist and composer (born 1832)

Robert Chambers (publisher, born 1802)

Year of death: 1871

Robert Chambers, Scottish geologist and publisher, co-founded Chambers Harrap (born 1802)

Laurent de Gouvion Saint-Cyr

Year of death: 1830

Laurent de Gouvion Saint-Cyr, French general and politician (born 1764)

HOLIDAYS ON MARCH 17

See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on March 17 around the world.

Saint Patrick

Christian feast day: Patrick of Ireland

March 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Christian feast day: March 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Evacuation Day (Massachusetts)

Evacuation Day (Suffolk County, Massachusetts)

Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day, a public holiday in Ireland, Montserrat and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, widely celebrated in the English-speaking world and to a lesser degree in other parts of the world.

Joseph of Arimathea

Christian feast day: Joseph of Arimathea (Western Church)

Jan Sarkander

Christian feast day: John Sarkander

Children's Day

Children's Day (Bangladesh)

Alexius of Rome

Christian feast day: Alexius of Rome (Eastern Church)

March