February 17: What Happened on This Day in History
February 17th marks the 48th day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 317 days (318 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on February 17th in history, famous birthdays on February 17th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to February 17.
What happened on February 17?
Here's what happened on February 17th in history:
- 2021: Unprecedented demonstrations erupted in Myanmar's major cities, including Naypyidaw, Mandalay, and Yangon, following the February 1 military coup. Public and private sector employees, along with civil servants, participated in massive protests despite explicit warnings from the military junta, signaling strong public resistance to the overthrow of democratic governance.
- 2014: On February 17, 2014, the United Nations released a report accusing North Korea of committing human rights abuses, including torture, executions, and forced labor, labeling the actions as crimes against humanity. source: un.org
- 2004: On February 17, 2004, CNN released a study detailing the widespread nature of sexual abuse allegations against Catholic priests. The report highlighted the scale of the crisis within the church and prompted further investigations and reforms. source: cnn.com
- 2002: On February 17, 2002, NASCAR driver Ward Burton won the Daytona 500, driving a Dodge car. This victory was significant for Dodge, marking their first win in the prestigious race since returning to NASCAR's top series. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2000: Microsoft released Windows 2000, a major update to the Windows NT operating system, on February 17, 2000. This release introduced features like Internet Connection Sharing and improved hardware support. source: news.microsoft.com
- 1995: On February 17, 1995, Colin Ferguson was convicted of six counts of second-degree intentional murder and 19 counts of attempted murder for a shooting spree on a Long Island Rail Road train in December 1993, resulting in six deaths and 19 injuries. source: upi.com
- 1994: Randy Shilts, a prominent journalist known for his coverage of the AIDS epidemic, passed away on February 17, 1994. His work brought significant attention to the crisis and highlighted the struggles faced by those affected by the disease. source: nytimes.com
- 1988: On February 17, 1988, Lieutenant Colonel William R. Higgins, a U.S. Marine Corps officer serving as Chief of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization's Observer Group in Lebanon, was abducted by armed men while traveling from Tyre to Naqoura. The pro-Iranian group, Organization of the Oppressed on Earth, claimed responsibility, accusing him of espionage. Despite international condemnation and efforts for his release, Higgins was tortured and murdered by his captors, with his body later found in Beirut in 1991. source: un.org
- 1985: On February 17, 1985, Murray P. Haydon, a 58-year-old retired auto worker from Louisville, Kentucky, underwent a successful implantation of the Jarvik-7 artificial heart at Humana Hospital Audubon. The procedure, led by Dr. William C. DeVries, lasted 3.5 hours and was reported as remarkably routine. Haydon became the third person to receive a permanent artificial heart, following Barney Clark and William J. Schroeder. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1981: On February 17, 1981, President Ronald Reagan signed Executive Order 12291, titled "Federal Regulation," aiming to reduce regulatory burdens, enhance agency accountability, and provide presidential oversight of the regulatory process. The order mandated that agencies conduct cost-benefit analyses for major regulations and established the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to oversee this process. source: reaganlibrary.gov
What famous birthdays are on February 17?
On February 17th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Michael Jordan]()
Michael Jordan (1963)Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played 15 seasons in the NBA, primarily with the Chicago Bulls, and was instrumental in popularizing basketball worldwide in the 1980s and 1990s. Jordan is known for his scoring ability, athleticism, competitive spirit, and exceptional leadership. His impact extended beyond the court into business … [bio]
![Jim Brown]()
Jim Brown (1936)Jim Brown was an American football player, actor, and civil rights activist, widely considered one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. He played for the Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965 and transitioned to a successful career in Hollywood after retiring from professional football. [bio]
![Paris Hilton]()
Paris Hilton (1981)Paris Hilton is an American media personality, socialite, businesswoman, model, singer, and actress. She rose to fame in the early 2000s as a reality television star, particularly known for 'The Simple Life.' Hilton is an heiress to the Hilton hotel fortune and has become a prominent figure in pop culture, recognized for her entrepreneurial ventures, fashion influence, and appearances in … [bio]
![Vicente Fernández]()
Vicente Fernández (1940)Vicente Fernández was a legendary Mexican singer, actor, and film producer, often referred to as 'El Rey de la Música Ranchera' (The King of Ranchera Music). His powerful voice and iconic performances made him one of the most recognizable and influential figures in Latin American music. [bio]
![José José]()
![Michael Bay]()
Michael Bay (1964)Michael Bay is an American film director and producer best known for his work on high-budget action films featuring fast-paced editing, visual effects, and explosive sequences. He is particularly famous for films such as 'Armageddon,' 'Bad Boys,' and the 'Transformers' franchise. [bio]
![Joseph Gordon-Levitt]()
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (1981)Joseph Gordon-Levitt is an American actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur known for his versatile roles in film and television, as well as his work behind the camera and as a co-founder of the online platform HITRECORD. [bio]
![Sasha Pieterse]()
Sasha Pieterse (1996)Sasha Pieterse is a South African-born American actress, singer-songwriter, and model, best known for her role as Alison DiLaurentis in the television series "Pretty Little Liars." [bio]
![Brenda Fricker]()
Brenda Fricker (1945)Brenda Fricker is an acclaimed Irish actress, best known for her Academy Award-winning role as Mrs. Brown in 'My Left Foot.' With a career spanning several decades, Fricker has earned critical acclaim for her work in both film and television. [bio]
![Rene Russo]()
Rene Russo (1954)Rene Russo is an American actress, producer, and former model, best known for her roles in films such as 'Lethal Weapon 3,' 'The Thomas Crown Affair,' and 'Nightcrawler.' She rose to prominence in Hollywood in the 1990s and has been acclaimed for her versatility and strong presence on screen. [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 February 17?
On February 17th the following celebrities died:
![Rush Limbaugh]()
Rush Limbaugh (2021)Rush Limbaugh was a prominent American radio talk show host, commentator, and conservative political icon, famous for his influential program "The Rush Limbaugh Show" which aired nationwide for over three decades. [bio]
![Richard Briers]()
Richard Briers (2013)Richard Briers was a distinguished English actor of stage, television, film, and radio, best known for his comedic and dramatic roles throughout a career spanning over five decades. [bio]
![Kathryn Grayson]()
Kathryn Grayson (2010)Kathryn Grayson was an American actress and coloratura soprano, best known for her starring roles in movie musicals during the 1940s and 1950s, particularly with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). [bio]
![Nita Naldi]()
Nita Naldi (1961)Nita Naldi was an American silent film actress, known for her roles as a vamp in the 1920s. She appeared alongside major stars of the era, including Rudolph Valentino, and became one of the era's most recognized femme fatales. [bio]
![Dorothy Gibson]()
Dorothy Gibson (1946)Dorothy Gibson was an American actress, artist's model, and one of the first film stars. She is notably recognized for surviving the sinking of the RMS Titanic and subsequently starring in 'Saved from the Titanic,' a film based on her real-life experience. [bio]
![Donald Wolfit]()
Donald Wolfit (1968)Donald Wolfit was an English actor-manager renowned for his stage performances, particularly in the plays of Shakespeare, and his dedication to touring classical theatre around Britain during the mid-20th century. [bio]
![Verree Teasdale]()
![Thelonious Monk]()
Thelonious Monk (1982)Legendary jazz pianist and composer who revolutionized bebop music, known for his unique improvisational style and influential compositions.
![Lee Strasberg]()
Lee Strasberg (1982)Influential acting coach and key figure in method acting, who trained numerous Hollywood stars and revolutionized acting techniques in the...
![Omar Sívori]()
Omar Sívori (2005)Legendary Argentine-Italian footballer known for his exceptional skills and playing career in both Argentina and Italy, particularly with...
What day of the year is February 17?
February 17th marks the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 317 days remaining until the end of the year (or 318 days in case of leap years).
February 17th is the 17th day of the month of February.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day February 17?
The zodiac sign associated with February 17th is Aquarius according to the Western Zodiac.
