1903⚡ Event
First successful airplane flight
The Wright brothers achieved the first sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft.
technologyscience
What Happened on December 17?
Discover 16 historical moments on December 17 — 6 events, 5 birthdays, and 5 notable deaths spanning centuries of human history.
entertainmentpoliticswardisastermusicsportstechnologyscience
Hero image inspired by: December 1970 protests in Poland
Historical Events on December 17(6)
1970⚡ Event
Gdynia massacre during Polish protests
Polish soldiers fired at workers emerging from trains in Gdynia. This event marked the beginning of a government crackdown on mass anti-communist protests.
politicswar
1983⚡ Event
Harrods bombing in London
The Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated a car bomb outside Harrods department store. The attack killed six people and injured about 90 others.
warpoliticsdisaster
1990⚡ Event
Same-sex marriage licenses sought in Hawaii
American gay rights activist William E. Woods brought three same-sex couples to fill out marriage licenses in Honolulu. This was a significant action in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
lawpolitics
2010⚡ Event
Arab Spring begins in Tunisia
Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor, set himself on fire in protest against police harassment. This act triggered the Tunisian revolution and the wider Arab Spring.
politics
2016⚡ Event
Irkutsk methanol poisoning begins
The first victims of a mass methanol poisoning which eventually killed over 70 inhabitants of Irkutsk, Russia, began arriving at hospitals.
disaster
Famous Birthdays on December 17(5)
Notable Deaths on December 17(5)
2020🕊️ Death
Jeremy Bulloch
Jeremy Bulloch, an English actor, died on December 17, 2020. He was born in 1945.
entertainment
2023🕊️ Death
Ronaldo Valdez
Ronaldo Valdez, a Filipino actor, died on December 17, 2023. He was born in 1947.
entertainment
2023🕊️ Death
James McCaffrey
James McCaffrey, an American actor, died on December 17, 2023. He was born in 1958.
entertainment
2024🕊️ Death
Marisa Paredes
Marisa Paredes, a Spanish film actress, died on December 17, 2024. She was born in 1946.
entertainment
December 17 in History
December 17 is home to 16 recorded historical entries in our collection, including 6 notable events, 5 famous birthdays, and 5 deaths. This date has witnessed momentous occasions spanning from 1903 to the present day.
Major Events on December 17
Among the most notable events on December 17: First successful airplane flight (1903), Gdynia massacre during Polish protests (1970), Harrods bombing in London (1983). View all events →
Famous Birthdays on December 17
Notable figures born on December 17 include Jasmine Armfield, Holly Humberstone, Mirei Sasaki. View all birthdays →
Notable Deaths on December 17
Remembered figures who died on December 17 include Jeremy Bulloch, Ronaldo Valdez, James McCaffrey. View all →
Browse what happened on December 16 or December 18, explore the full month of December, or discover a random historical fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on December 17?
- December 17 is home to 16 recorded historical entries, including 6 notable events, 5 famous birthdays, and 5 notable deaths.
- What is the most notable event on December 17?
- One of the most notable events on December 17 is: First successful airplane flight.
- Who was born on December 17?
- Famous figures born on December 17 include Jasmine Armfield, Holly Humberstone, Mirei Sasaki.
- How many historical events happened on December 17?
- Our collection records 6 historical events on December 17, spanning centuries of world history.
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