M. C. Escher
b. 1898
Dutch illustrator
On This Day · The 168th day of the year
June 17
June 17 carries 10 recorded events spanning between 653 and 2017. Pope Martin I is arrested and taken to Constantinople, due to his opposition to monothelitism.
Compiled & reviewed by Roman Tailor · Last reviewed July 13, 2026
What happened on June 17?
June 17 is the 168th day of the year. It marks 10 notable events in history, dated between 653 and 2017. Famous people born on June 17 include M. C. Escher, Igor Stravinsky and Venus Williams.
The shape of the day
Few dates reach as far back as June 17: its recorded history runs unusually deep, stretching to 653. Its center of gravity is the 19th century, and conflict is a recurring thread.
Gemini is the sign for June 17 — read more on the Gemini page, or see June's birthstone & birth flower.
Released on June 17
Movies, games, albums & shows2026
- Game Denshattack!
- Movie Toy Story 5
2025
- Game Tron: Catalyst
- Game Lost in Random: The Eternal Die
- Game Date Everything!
- Game Scum
- Game Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond
- Game FBC: Firebreak
Release data from TMDB & IGDB.
Events
10 notable moments- 653
Pope Martin I
Pope Martin I is arrested and taken to Constantinople, due to his opposition to monothelitism.
- 1397
Kalmar Union
The Kalmar Union is formed under the rule of Margaret I of Denmark.
- 1579
Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake claims a land he calls Nova Albion (modern California) for England.
- 1631
Mumtaz Mahal
Mumtaz Mahal dies during childbirth. Her husband, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan I, will spend the next 17 years building her mausoleum, the Taj Mahal.
- 1775
American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War: Colonists inflict heavy casualties on British forces while losing the Battle of Bunker Hill.
- 1789
France
In France, the Third Estate declares itself the National Assembly.
- 1861
American Civil War
American Civil War: Battle of Vienna, Virginia.
- 1900
Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion: Western Allied and Japanese forces capture the Taku Forts in Tianjin, China.
- 1940
World War II
World War II: RMS Lancastria is attacked and sunk by the Luftwaffe near Saint-Nazaire, France. At least 3,000 are killed in Britain's worst maritime disaster.
- 2017
June 2017 Portugal wildfires
A series of wildfires in central Portugal kill at least 64 people and injure 204 others.
Famous birthday twins
Born on June 17Igor Stravinsky
b. 1882
Russian pianist, composer, and conductor
Venus Williams
b. 1980
American tennis player
Scott Adkins
b. 1976
English actor and martial artist
Charles XII of Sweden
b. 1682
Swedish king
Ken Loach
b. 1936
English director, producer, and screenwriter
Michael Gross (swimmer)
b. 1964
German swimmer
Edward I
b. 1239
English king
Deaths
- 2019Mohamed Morsi
- 2002Fritz Walter
- 1631Mumtaz Mahal
- 1501John I Albert
- 1025Bolesław I the Brave
- 656Uthman
Holidays & observances
- —Christian feast day: Albert Chmielowski
- —Christian feast day: Botolph (England and Scandinavia)
- —Christian feast day: Gondulphus of Berry
- —Christian feast day: Hervé
- —Christian feast day: Hypatius of Bithynia (Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Churches)
- —Christian feast day: Rainerius
- —Christian feast day: Samuel and Henrietta Barnett (Church of England)
- —Christian feast day: Theresa of Portugal
Historical facts, event summaries, and biographical lines above are adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) license. DateLore adds curation, structure, and original editorial commentary. DateLore is not affiliated with the Wikimedia Foundation.
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