July 17: What Happened on This Day in History
July 17th marks the 198th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 199th in case of leap years). There are 167 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on July 17th in history, famous birthdays on July 17th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to July 17.
What happened on July 17?
Here's what happened on July 17th in history:
- 2021: Multiple countries reported significant COVID-19 milestones: Malaysia recorded 138 deaths in a single day, bringing its total deaths to 6,866. Vietnam reported 3,718 new cases, totaling 47,904 confirmed cases. The United Kingdom logged 54,674 new cases, its highest single-day total since mid-January.
- 2014: On July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. The incident heightened tensions between Ukraine and Russia amid ongoing conflict. source: bbc.com
- 2004: On July 17, 2004, a tragic fire occurred in a school in Tamil Nadu, India, resulting in the deaths of several children and teachers, underscoring the need for improved safety measures in educational institutions. source: thehindu.com
- 2002: Apple unveiled iCal, a new calendar application with built-in Internet sharing, allowing users to manage multiple calendars and share them online. source: apple.com
- 2000: On July 17, 2000, Bashar al-Assad was sworn in as the President of Syria, succeeding his father, Hafez al-Assad, who had passed away on June 10, 2000. Bashar's ascension marked a significant political transition in Syria. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1999: Studio Ghibli released the animated film 'My Neighbors the Yamadas' in Japan on July 17, 1999. Directed by Isao Takahata, the film is based on the yonkoma manga 'Nono-chan' by Hisaichi Ishii and is presented in a stylized comic strip aesthetic, marking a departure from the studio's traditional anime style. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1995: A severe heat wave struck the Midwestern United States on July 17, 1995, leading to numerous heat-related fatalities. The extreme temperatures highlighted the dangers of heat waves, particularly for vulnerable populations. source: weather.gov
- 1994: On July 17, 1994, Brazil defeated Italy 3–2 in a penalty shootout after a 0–0 draw following extra time in the FIFA World Cup final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This victory marked Brazil's fourth World Cup title, making it the first nation to achieve this feat. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1985: EUREKA, the world's largest intergovernmental network for international research, development, and innovation, was established on July 17, 1985, by 18 European countries and the European Commission. Its mission is to enhance European competitiveness and productivity by supporting cross-border coordination of national innovation policies and project funding. source: eurekanetwork.org
- 1981: On July 17, 1981, a tragic structural failure occurred at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, when two suspended walkways collapsed during a dance event. The disaster resulted in 114 fatalities and over 200 injuries, making it one of the deadliest structural failures in U.S. history. Investigations revealed design flaws and inadequate safety measures, leading to significant changes in engineering practices and building codes. source: nytimes.com
What famous birthdays are on July 17?
On July 17th there are the following famous birthdays:
![David Hasselhoff]()
David Hasselhoff (1952)David Hasselhoff is an American actor, singer, producer, and businessman best known for his lead roles in the television series 'Knight Rider' and 'Baywatch.' He achieved global fame not only as a TV icon but also for his unexpected popularity as a recording artist, particularly in Germany. [bio]
![Donald Sutherland]()
Donald Sutherland (1935)Donald Sutherland is an acclaimed Canadian actor known for his versatile performances across film and television, with a career spanning over six decades. He has appeared in numerous critically and commercially successful films and is regarded as one of the most respected actors of his generation. [bio]
![Diahann Carroll]()
Diahann Carroll (1935)Diahann Carroll was a groundbreaking American actress, singer, and model, celebrated for her pioneering roles in television and film, notably as the star of the TV series 'Julia,' the first U.S. network series to star a Black woman in a non-stereotypical role. [bio]
![Phyllis Diller]()
Phyllis Diller (1917)Phyllis Diller was an iconic American stand-up comedian, actress, and author renowned for her eccentric stage persona, wild hair, self-deprecating humor, and distinctive laugh. She rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, breaking barriers for women in comedy and paving the way for future generations. [bio]
![Art Linkletter]()
Art Linkletter (1912)Art Linkletter was a Canadian-born American radio and television personality, best known for his long-running radio and TV shows including 'House Party' and 'People Are Funny.' He became a household name in the United States for his witty interviews, especially with children. [bio]
![Mithun Chakraborty]()
Mithun Chakraborty (1950)Mithun Chakraborty is a renowned Indian actor, producer, and former politician, best known for his roles in Hindi and Bengali cinema. Rising to prominence with the National Film Award-winning film 'Mrigayaa' (1976), he became one of Bollywood’s biggest stars in the 1980s, famous for his dancing skills and action roles, particularly in the film 'Disco Dancer' (1982). [bio]
![Billie Lourd]()
Billie Lourd (1992)Billie Lourd is an American actress best known for her roles in the FOX horror-comedy series 'Scream Queens' and the FX anthology series 'American Horror Story.' She is also recognized for playing Lieutenant Connix in the 'Star Wars' sequel trilogy. Billie is the daughter of famed actress Carrie Fisher and talent agent Bryan Lourd. [bio]
![Phoebe Snow]()
Phoebe Snow (1950)Phoebe Snow was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for her emotive, bluesy voice and deeply personal songwriting. She achieved major success in the 1970s with her self-titled debut album, which featured the hit single 'Poetry Man.' [bio]
![Dagmara Dominczyk]()
Dagmara Dominczyk (1976)Dagmara Domińczyk is a Polish-American actress and author, best known for her performances in films such as 'The Count of Monte Cristo' (2002) and in the acclaimed HBO series 'Succession'. [bio]
![Lucie Arnaz]()
Lucie Arnaz (1951)Lucie Arnaz is an American actress, singer, and producer, best known for her work in television, film, and on stage. She is the daughter of television icons Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and has established a successful career in her own right, notably starring in 'Here's Lucy' and performing in Broadway productions. [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 July 17?
On July 17th the following celebrities died:
![Billie Holiday]()
Billie Holiday (1959)Billie Holiday was an influential American jazz and swing music singer, renowned for her deeply emotive vocal style and pioneering contributions to vocal jazz. Her unique phrasing and expressive delivery elevated songs like "Strange Fruit," "God Bless the Child," and "Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)" to classic status. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz … [bio]
![Walter Cronkite]()
Walter Cronkite (2009)Walter Cronkite was an American broadcast journalist who gained national recognition as the anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981, earning the nickname 'the most trusted man in America.' [bio]
![John Coltrane]()
John Coltrane (1967)John Coltrane was an influential American jazz saxophonist and composer, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative figures in the history of jazz. Coltrane's pioneering work with modal jazz and avant-garde jazz, especially through his classic albums such as 'Giant Steps,' 'My Favorite Things,' and 'A Love Supreme,' transformed jazz music. He collaborated with luminaries such as … [bio]
![Elaine Stritch]()
Elaine Stritch (2014)Elaine Stritch was an acclaimed American actress and singer, celebrated for her work on stage, film, and television. Known for her distinctive voice and sharp wit, Stritch enjoyed a long career on Broadway, earning multiple Tony Award nominations and winning several prestigious honors. [bio]
![John Lewis]()
John Lewis (2020)Prominent American civil rights leader and long-serving congressman who was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement.
![Charlotte Corday]()
Charlotte Corday (1793)Charlotte Corday was a French Girondin sympathizer who assassinated the Jacobin leader Jean-Paul Marat during the French Revolution.
![Katharine Graham]()
Katharine Graham (2001)Katharine Graham was a pioneering American publisher who led The Washington Post during the critical Watergate scandal, transforming...
![Alexei Nikolaevich]()
Alexei Nikolaevich (1918)Tsarevich of Russia, son of the last Russian imperial family, executed in 1918.
![Chas Chandler]()
Chas Chandler (1996)English musician, bass player of the legendary rock band The Animals, who later became a successful music producer.
What day of the year is July 17?
July 17th marks the 198th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 199th in case of leap years).
There are 167 days remaining until the end of the year.
July 17th is the 17th day of the month of July.
What day of the week is July 17?
On July 17th, 2026 the day of the week is Friday.
| July | 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 July 17?
The zodiac sign associated with July 17th is Cancer according to the Western Zodiac.
