March 17: What Happened on This Day in History
March 17th marks the 76th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 77th in case of leap years). There are 289 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on March 17th in history, famous birthdays on March 17th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to March 17.
What happened on March 17?
Here's what happened on March 17th in history:
- 2013: Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen won the Australian Grand Prix on March 17, 2013, marking his first victory since returning to Formula 1. The race was notable for its competitive field and Raikkonen's strategic driving. source: bbc.com
- 2008: On March 17, 2008, Lehman Brothers' stock experienced a significant decline, reflecting growing concerns about the financial stability of the investment bank amid the subprime mortgage crisis. This event marked a critical point in the financial turmoil that would lead to the 2008 financial crisis. The drop in stock price raised alarms about the broader implications for the financial sector. source: reuters.com
- 2006: On March 17, 2006, the United Nations Secretary-General expressed serious concern over the major escalation of violence in the Jebel Marra region of Darfur, particularly in the Golo and Shearia areas. The UN condemned the attacks by Sudan Liberation Army forces on Golo and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities by all parties involved. source: un.org
- 1991: On March 17, 1991, the Soviet Union held its only national referendum, asking citizens if they supported preserving the USSR as a renewed federation of equal sovereign republics. The referendum was boycotted by authorities in six of the fifteen Soviet republics, but in the remaining nine, nearly 80% of voters approved the proposal. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1990: On March 17, 1990, María Mejía, a 47-year-old Maya woman and member of the Committee for the Peasant Unity (Comité de Unidad Campesina, CUC), was assassinated in her home in Parraxtut, Quiché province, Guatemala. Two armed men, identified as military commissioners, entered her residence, shot her in the chest, and, after a brief departure, returned to shoot her in the face. Her husband, Pedro Castro Tojín, survived the attack and identified the perpetrators. Prior to the murder, the family had reported threats and intimidation by military commissioners and Civil Patrols (PACs) due to their refusal to participate in the PACs. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) later concluded that the Guatemalan government was responsible for the violation of María Mejía's right to life and personal integrity. source: cidh.oas.org
- 1987: Sunil Gavaskar, one of India's most celebrated cricketers, retired from Test cricket in March 1987 after a distinguished 16-year career. He was the first player to score 10,000 runs in Test matches, amassing 10,122 runs with an average of 51.12. Gavaskar's final Test match was against Pakistan in Bangalore, where he scored 96 runs in his last innings. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1986: On March 17, 1986, the Haemers Gang, led by Patrick Haemers, executed a robbery of a gold transport in Belgium, making off with 35 million Belgian francs. This event is noted in historical records as a significant criminal act of that period. source: brainyhistory.com
- 1983: On March 17, 1983, Chadian President Hissène Habré brought the conflict before the UN, asking for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to consider Libya's "aggression and occupation" of Chadian territory. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1977: On March 17, 1977, a massacre occurred in the Chouf Mountains of Lebanon, where numerous civilians were killed amid the ongoing Lebanese Civil War. This event highlighted the sectarian violence that characterized the conflict and had lasting implications for the region's stability. source: bbc.com
- 1975: On March 17, 1975, South Vietnamese forces began a significant retreat in the face of advancing North Vietnamese troops, marking a critical point in the Vietnam War. This retreat was part of a larger collapse of South Vietnamese defenses leading to the fall of Saigon later that year. source: britannica.com
What famous birthdays are on March 17?
On March 17th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Gary Sinise]()
Gary Sinise (1955)Gary Sinise is an American actor, director, producer, and musician, best known for his roles in the film 'Forrest Gump' and the TV series 'CSI: NY.' He is also recognized for his passionate advocacy for veterans and military families. [bio]
![John Boyega]()
John Boyega (1992)John Boyega is a British actor and producer best known internationally for his role as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. He has received critical acclaim for his performances in both science fiction blockbusters and independent films, establishing himself as one of the leading talents of his generation. [bio]
![Kurt Russell]()
Kurt Russell (1951)Kurt Russell is an acclaimed American actor known for his versatile roles in film and television, building a career that spans more than six decades. He is recognized for his work in genres ranging from action and comedy to science fiction and drama. [bio]
![Nat Cole]()
![Rob Lowe]()
![Patti Hansen]()
Patti Hansen (1956)Patti Hansen is an American model and actress, recognized for her work as a prominent fashion model in the 1970s and 1980s and for her roles in several films. She is also known for being married to Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. [bio]
![Lesley-Anne Down]()
Lesley-Anne Down (1954)Lesley-Anne Down is an English actress, model, and singer best known for her roles in popular television series and films, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. [bio]
![Natalie Zea]()
Natalie Zea (1975)Natalie Zea is an American actress best known for her roles on television series such as 'Justified', 'The Following', and 'The Detour'. She has also appeared in recurring and guest roles on several notable TV series throughout her career. [bio]
![Rudy Ray Moore]()
Rudy Ray Moore (1937)Rudy Ray Moore was an American comedian, singer, actor, and film producer, best known for his comedic persona 'Dolemite' and his influential role in the history of blaxploitation films. [bio]
![Justin Hawkins]()
Justin Hawkins (1975)Justin Hawkins is an English musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the glam rock band The Darkness. Renowned for his flamboyant stage presence and distinctive falsetto singing style, Hawkins rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love.' [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 March 17?
On March 17th the following celebrities died:
![Helen Hayes]()
Helen Hayes (1993)Helen Hayes was an acclaimed American actress whose career spanned eight decades. Often referred to as the 'First Lady of American Theatre,' she achieved success on Broadway, in film, and on television, earning all four major American entertainment awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony (making her one of the few EGOT winners). [bio]
![Mai Zetterling]()
Mai Zetterling (1994)Mai Zetterling was a Swedish actress and film director known for her versatility and significant contributions to both European and international cinema. She began her career as an actress in Sweden, quickly gaining acclaim before transitioning successfully into directing, where her work often challenged social norms. [bio]
![Michael Gough]()
Michael Gough (2011)Michael Gough was an English actor known for his distinguished stage, film, and television career. He is best recognized internationally for his role as Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's loyal butler, in the Batman film series from 1989 to 1997. [bio]
![John Backus]()
John Backus (2007)Pioneering computer scientist who developed FORTRAN, the first high-level programming language, and created the influential Backus-Naur form...
![Luchino Visconti]()
Luchino Visconti (1976)Renowned Italian film director and screenwriter, a key figure of neorealist cinema who created masterpieces like 'Rocco and His Brothers'...
![Lance Reddick]()
Lance Reddick (2023)Acclaimed American actor known for roles in 'The Wire', 'John Wick' series, and 'Destiny' video game franchise.
![Christian Doppler]()
Christian Doppler (1853)Discovered the Doppler effect, which explains the change in frequency of a wave as the source and observer move relative to each other.
![Ronnie Kray]()
Ronnie Kray (1995)Ronnie Kray was a notorious British gangster, part of the infamous Kray twins who dominated London's criminal underworld in the 1950s and...
![Daniel Bernoulli]()
Daniel Bernoulli (1782)He was a swiss mathematician, physicist, and one of many well-known mathematicians in bernoulli's family.
What day of the year is March 17?
March 17th marks the 76th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 77th in case of leap years).
There are 289 days remaining until the end of the year.
March 17th is the 17th day of the month of March.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day March 17?
The zodiac sign associated with March 17th is Pisces according to the Western Zodiac.
