August 17: What Happened on This Day in History
August 17th marks the 229th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 230th in case of leap years). There are 136 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on August 17th in history, famous birthdays on August 17th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to August 17.
What happened on August 17?
Here's what happened on August 17th in history:
- 2013: On August 17, 2013, Egyptian security forces cleared a mosque in Cairo that had been a stronghold for Muslim Brotherhood supporters. The government also proposed dissolving the Muslim Brotherhood, labeling it a terrorist organization. source: aljazeera.com
- 2008: On August 17, 2008, American swimmer Michael Phelps achieved a historic feat by winning his eighth gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, surpassing the previous record for the most gold medals won in a single Olympic Games. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2006: The Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador erupted on August 17, 2006, leading to evacuations and ashfall in nearby areas. The eruption raised concerns about the safety of local communities and the impact on air travel. source: usgs.gov
- 2000: On August 17, 2000, the Billboard Hot 100 chart was topped by 'Doesn't Really Matter' by Janet Jackson, which held the number one position for three consecutive weeks. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1990: On August 17, 1990, ethnic Serbs in Croatia initiated the 'Log Revolution' by erecting roadblocks made of logs and rocks in areas with significant Serbian populations, including the Dalmatian hinterland around Knin. This insurrection aimed to challenge the newly elected Croatian government, leading to heightened ethnic tensions and setting the stage for the Croatian War of Independence. The blockades disrupted transportation and tourism, causing economic damage to Croatia. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1987: On August 17, 1987, Muhammad Ali was elected to 'The Ring' magazine's Boxing Hall of Fame. At 45, Ali was the only man to win three heavyweight titles, retiring with a 56-5 record and 37 knockouts. He was inducted by the modern writers and broadcasters committee. source: andscape.com
- 1986: On August 17, 1986, Hurricane Charley made landfall near Cape Lookout, North Carolina, as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 75 mph. The storm caused tidal flooding, downed trees, and left about 8,000 people without power. A woman drowned near Cape Hatteras while attempting to drive through a flooded roadway. The estimated damage was $400,000 in 1986 dollars. source: weather.gov
- 1983: On August 17, 1983, a powerful earthquake struck Luzon, Philippines, measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale. The quake resulted in extensive damage, particularly in the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Pampanga, and led to numerous casualties. It highlighted the region's vulnerability to seismic activity and prompted discussions on disaster preparedness. source: usgs.gov
- 1977: On August 17, 1977, the Soviet nuclear-powered icebreaker Arktika became the first surface ship to reach the North Pole, marking a significant achievement in Arctic navigation. source: guinnessworldrecords.com
- 1975: On August 17, 1975, a fire erupted at the Gulf Oil Refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, leading to explosions that resulted in the deaths of eight firefighters. The incident began when hydrocarbon vapors ignited during the off-loading of crude oil, causing a fire that threatened 600 storage tanks at the refinery's tank farm. The fire was brought under control after 24 hours, but not before eight firefighters lost their lives. source: firehouse.com
What famous birthdays are on August 17?
On August 17th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Robert De Niro]()
Robert De Niro (1943)Robert De Niro is a legendary American actor, director, and producer renowned for his transformative performances in some of cinema’s most iconic films. He is celebrated for his collaborations with director Martin Scorsese, including 'Taxi Driver', 'Raging Bull', and 'Goodfellas'. De Niro is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation, having received multiple accolades … [bio]
![Sean Penn]()
Sean Penn (1960)Sean Penn is an acclaimed American actor, director, and screenwriter, known for his intense and emotionally rich performances in film. He has received multiple awards, including two Academy Awards for Best Actor. Penn is also recognized for his political activism and humanitarian efforts. [bio]
![Maureen O'Hara]()
Maureen O'Hara (1920)Maureen O'Hara was an Irish-American actress and singer, renowned for her work in Hollywood throughout the 1940s and 1950s, particularly in Technicolor films. She was known for her spirited performances, striking red hair, and roles in adventure films and dramas. [bio]
![Helen McCrory]()
Helen McCrory (1968)Helen McCrory was a highly acclaimed British actress known for her work in film, television, and theatre. Over her career, she garnered praise for her versatility and commanding screen presence, particularly in period dramas and complex, layered roles. [bio]
![Belinda Carlisle]()
Belinda Carlisle (1958)Belinda Carlisle is an American singer best known as the lead vocalist of the all-female band The Go-Go's and for her successful solo career, which includes the worldwide hit 'Heaven Is a Place on Earth.' [bio]
![Julian Fellowes]()
Julian Fellowes (1949)Julian Fellowes is an English actor, novelist, film director, screenwriter, and producer, best known as the creator, writer, and executive producer of the acclaimed television series 'Downton Abbey.' He has also won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for his work on the film 'Gosford Park.' Fellowes is recognized for his contributions to period dramas and his expertise in … [bio]
![Donnie Wahlberg]()
Donnie Wahlberg (1969)Donnie Wahlberg is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and producer, best known as a founding member of the boy band New Kids on the Block and for his acting roles in the 'Saw' film series and the television series 'Blue Bloods.' [bio]
![Austin Butler]()
Austin Butler (1991)Austin Butler is an acclaimed American actor best known for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in the 2022 biographical film 'Elvis.' He began his career as a teen star on Disney Channel and Nickelodeon series before transitioning into more prominent roles in film and television. [bio]
![Monty Woolley]()
Monty Woolley (1888)Monty Woolley was an American actor known for his work on stage, film, and radio, especially remembered for his role in 'The Man Who Came to Dinner.' [bio]
![Taissa Farmiga]()
Taissa Farmiga (1994)Taissa Farmiga is an American actress best known for her roles in several seasons of the television anthology series 'American Horror Story' and for starring in the horror films 'The Nun' and 'The Final Girls'. [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on August 17?
On August 17th the following celebrities died:
![Vivian Vance]()
Vivian Vance (1979)Vivian Vance was an American actress and singer best known for her role as Ethel Mertz in the classic television sitcom 'I Love Lucy.' Her comedic timing and chemistry with Lucille Ball made her one of the most beloved supporting actresses in American television history. [bio]
![Pearl Bailey]()
Pearl Bailey (1990)Pearl Bailey was an acclaimed American singer and actress known for her distinctive voice, energetic stage presence, and impactful performances in theater, film, and television. She broke racial barriers on Broadway and received notable accolades throughout her career. [bio]
![Yvonne Craig]()
Yvonne Craig (2015)Yvonne Craig was an American actress and ballet dancer best known for her role as Batgirl in the 1960s television series 'Batman.' She was also recognized for her appearances in other popular television shows and films during the 1960s and 1970s. [bio]
![Billy Murray]()
Billy Murray (1954)Billy Murray was one of the most popular American singers in the early 20th century, known for his clear tenor voice and prolific output of recorded songs during the acoustic era. He earned the nickname 'The Denver Nightingale' and was a significant figure in the development of recorded music. [bio]
![Richard Barthelmess]()
Richard Barthelmess (1963)Richard Barthelmess was a prominent American silent film actor, best known for his performances in movies such as 'Broken Blossoms' and 'The Patent Leather Kid.' His sensitive portrayals and emotive acting style made him one of the leading men of early Hollywood cinema. [bio]
![Carlos Drummond de Andrade]()
Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1987)Renowned Brazilian poet who is considered a pivotal figure in 20th-century Brazilian literature, known for his modernist style and profound...
![Ioan Slavici]()
Ioan Slavici (1925)Prominent Romanian writer and journalist, known for his contributions to Romanian literature.
![Shamsur Rahman]()
Shamsur Rahman (2006)Prominent Bangladeshi poet and journalist who significantly contributed to Bengali literature during the 20th century, known for his...
![Ken Miles]()
Ken Miles (1966)Legendary British racing driver and automotive engineer known for his pivotal role in Ford's racing program, particularly in the development...
![Władysław Komar]()
Władysław Komar (1998)Władysław Komar was a renowned Polish shot putter and actor who competed in the 1960s and 1970s.
What day of the year is August 17?
August 17th marks the 229th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 230th in case of leap years).
There are 136 days remaining until the end of the year.
August 17th is the 17th day of the month of August.
What day of the week is August 17?
On August 17th, 2026 the day of the week is Monday.
| August | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 | ||||||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day August 17?
The zodiac sign associated with August 17th is Leo according to the Western Zodiac.
