✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 168th day of the year

June 17

A look at June 17 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including M. C. Escher and Igor Stravinsky, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♊ZodiacGemini ◈BirthstonePearl ❀Birth flowerRose
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2017

    June 2017 Portugal wildfires

    A series of wildfires in central Portugal kill at least 64 people and injure 204 others.

    Four deadly fires in
  2. 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.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  3. 1900

    Boxer Rebellion

    Boxer Rebellion: Western Allied and Japanese forces capture the Taku Forts in Tianjin, China.

    1899–1901 anti-foreign uprising in
  4. 1861

    American Civil War

    American Civil War: Battle of Vienna, Virginia.

    1861–1865 conflict in the
  5. 1789

    France

    In France, the Third Estate declares itself the National Assembly.

    Country primarily in Western
  6. 1775

    American Revolutionary War

    American Revolutionary War: Colonists inflict heavy casualties on British forces while losing the Battle of Bunker Hill.

    1775–1783 conflict in North
  7. 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.

    Empress of the Mughal
  8. 1579

    Francis Drake

    Sir Francis Drake claims a land he calls Nova Albion (modern California) for England.

    English sailor and privateer
  9. 1397

    Kalmar Union

    The Kalmar Union is formed under the rule of Margaret I of Denmark.

    Personal union in Scandinavia
  10. 653

    Pope Martin I

    Pope Martin I is arrested and taken to Constantinople, due to his opposition to monothelitism.

    Head of the Catholic
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Famous birthday twins

Born on June 17

M. C. Escher

b. 1898

Dutch illustrator

Igor 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, Egyptian professor and politician, first elected president of Egypt after Egyptian revolution
  • 2002Fritz Walter, German footballer
  • 1631Mumtaz Mahal, Mughal princess
  • 1501John I Albert, Polish king
  • 1025Bolesław I the Brave, Polish king
  • 656Uthman, caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate

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

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