✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 48th day of the year

February 17

A look at February 17 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Mo Yan and Wu Zetian, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♒ZodiacAquarius ◈BirthstoneAmethyst ❀Birth flowerViolet
Advertisement 728 × 90 leaderboard

Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2011

    Arab Spring

    Arab Spring: Libyan protests against Muammar Gaddafi's regime begin.

    2010s protests and revolutions
  2. 2011

    Bahrain

    Arab Spring: In Bahrain, security forces launch a deadly pre-dawn raid on protesters in Pearl Roundabout in Manama; the day is locally known as Bloody Thursday.

    Country in West Asia
  3. 1996

    1996 Biak earthquake

    The 8.2 Mw Biak earthquake shakes the Papua province of eastern Indonesia with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). A large tsunami followed, leaving 166 people dead or missing and 423 injured.

    Earthquake and tsunami in
  4. 1980

    Mount Everest

    First winter ascent of Mount Everest by Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy.

    Earth's highest mountain
  5. 1978

    The Troubles

    The Troubles: The Provisional IRA detonates an incendiary bomb at the La Mon restaurant, near Belfast, killing 12 and seriously injuring 30 others, all Protestants.

    1960s–1998 conflict in Northern
  6. 1944

    World War II

    World War II: The Battle of Eniwetok begins. The battle ends in an American victory on February 22.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  7. 1913

    Armory Show

    The Armory Show opens in New York City, displaying works of artists who subsequently become some of the most influential painters of the early 20th century.

    1913 American art exhibition
  8. 1863

    Geneva

    A group of citizens of Geneva found an International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, which later became known as the International Committee of the Red Cross.

    City in Switzerland
  9. 1859

    Cochinchina campaign

    Cochinchina Campaign: The French Navy captures the Citadel of Saigon, a fortress manned by 1,000 Nguyễn dynasty soldiers, en route to conquering Saigon and other regions of southern Viet Nam.

    1858–1862 Franco-Spanish military expedition
  10. 1621

    Myles Standish

    Myles Standish is appointed as first military commander of the English Plymouth Colony in North America.

    English military officer (1584–1656)
Advertisement Responsive in-content unit

Famous birthday twins

Born on February 17

Mo Yan

b. 1955

Chinese author and academic, Nobel Prize laureate

Wu Zetian

b. 624

Chinese empress consort

François, Duke of Guise

b. 1519

French Grand Chamberlain

Madison Keys

b. 1995

American tennis player

Marc Márquez

b. 1993

Spanish motorcycle racer

Michael Jordan

b. 1963

American basketball player, executive, and businessman

Ed Sheeran

b. 1991

English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer

Paris Hilton

b. 1981

American model, media personality, actress, singer, DJ, author and businesswoman

Deaths

  • 1909Geronimo, American tribal leader
  • 1874Adolphe Quetelet, Belgian astronomer, mathematician, and sociologist
  • 1856Heinrich Heine, German journalist and poet
  • 1673Molière, French actor and playwright
  • 1600Giordano Bruno, Italian mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher
  • 364Jovian (emperor), Roman emperor

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Seven Founders of the Servite Order Alexis Falconieri
  • —Christian feast day: Constabilis
  • —Christian feast day: Donatus, Romulus, Secundian, and Companions
  • —Christian feast day: Evermode of Ratzeburg
  • —Christian feast day: Fintan of Clonenagh
  • —Christian feast day: Janani Luwum (Anglican Communion)
  • —Christian feast day: Lommán of Trim
  • —Christian feast day: Mesrop Mashtots

Born on this day?

Make your birthday card.

Drop in your birth year and we'll work out your exact age, the day of the week you were born, your Chinese zodiac, your generation, and the countdown to your next candle.