1964⚡ Event
Gabonese coup d'état
Gabonese military officers overthrew President Léon M'ba. French forces reinstated him two days later, honoring a 1960 treaty.
politicswar
What Happened on February 17?
Browse 15 historical entries recorded for February 17 — 5 events, 5 births, and 5 deaths.
politicssportsmusicwarentertainmentdisasterartsreligion
Image retrieved via Wikipedia: 1964 Gabonese coup d'état
Historical Events on February 17(5)
1974⚡ Event
Helicopter lands on White House South Lawn
A U.S. Army soldier stole a Bell UH-1 helicopter and landed it on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C.
war
1978⚡ Event
Belfast Restaurant Bombing
On February 17, 1978, the Provisional Irish Republican Army bombed a restaurant near Belfast, Northern Ireland, killing twelve people and injuring thirty others.
warpolitics
1996⚡ Event
New Guinea Trench Earthquake and Tsunami
An 8.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in the New Guinea Trench on February 17, 1996, generating a tsunami that killed 108 people.
disaster
2011⚡ Event
Arab Spring in Bahrain and Libya
On February 17, 2011, Bahraini security forces killed four protesters in Manama. The "Day of Rage" also took place in Libya with nationwide protests against Muammar Gaddafi's government.
politics
Birthdays on February 17(5)
1996🎂 Birth
Sasha Pieterse
South African-American actress and singer-songwriter.
entertainmentmusic
Deaths on February 17(5)
2025🕊️ Death
Paquita la del Barrio
Mexican singer, songwriter and actress.
musicentertainment
2025🕊️ Death
Frits Bolkestein
Frits Bolkestein, a Dutch politician, died on February 17, 2025. He was born in 1933.
politics
2025🕊️ Death
Rick Buckler
Rick Buckler, an English drummer, songwriter, and producer, died on February 17, 2025. He was born in 1955.
musicarts
2026🕊️ Death
Jesse Jackson
American civil rights leader, activist, and politician.
politicsreligion
February 17 in History
February 17 is home to 15 recorded historical entries in our collection: 5 events, 5 births, and 5 deaths. These counts describe the current collection, not every historical occurrence associated with this date.
Events on February 17
Examples currently recorded for February 17 include Gabonese coup d'état (1964), Helicopter lands on White House South Lawn (1974), Belfast Restaurant Bombing (1978). View all events →
Birthdays on February 17
People recorded as born on February 17 include Madison Keys, Sebastian Aho, Sasha Pieterse. View all birthdays →
Deaths on February 17
Remembered figures who died on February 17 include Paquita la del Barrio, Frits Bolkestein, Rick Buckler. View all →
Browse what happened on February 16 or February 18, explore the full month of February, or discover a random historical fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on February 17?
- The DayFacts collection currently has 15 entries for February 17: 5 events, 5 births, and 5 deaths.
- Which historical event is included for February 17?
- One event currently recorded for February 17 is: Gabonese coup d'état.
- Who was born on February 17?
- People recorded as born on February 17 include Madison Keys, Sebastian Aho, Sasha Pieterse.
- How many historical events are recorded for February 17?
- The current DayFacts collection records 5 historical events for February 17.
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