April 17: What Happened on This Day in History
April 17th marks the 107th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 108th in case of leap years). There are 258 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on April 17th in history, famous birthdays on April 17th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to April 17.
What happened on April 17?
Here's what happened on April 17th in history:
- 2023: A tragic mass shooting occurred at a dance studio in Dadeville, Alabama, during a sweet 16 birthday celebration. Four people were killed, including Philstavious Dowdell, a promising high school athlete who had recently won the 3A 100-meter dash state track championship. Dowdell, who was the brother of the birthday girl, was among the victims. An additional 15 teenagers were wounded in the shooting rampage, highlighting the devastating impact of gun violence on young communities.
- 2018: President Donald Trump's administration is exploring the possibility of replacing U.S. military forces with an Arab force in Syria as part of the ongoing Syrian Civil War strategy.
- 2016: During the ongoing Afghanistan War (2001-present), Taliban fighters escalated attacks in multiple districts surrounding Kunduz. Militants targeted several checkpoints on the city's southwest outskirts overnight, while government forces successfully repelled an attack from the east.
- 2015: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad claimed that the most dangerous leaders of the Islamic State (ISIS) are of Scandinavian origin, a surprising and unsubstantiated assertion about the terrorist organization's leadership.
- 2012: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard confirmed that Australian troops will complete their mission and leave Afghanistan by the end of 2013, marking a significant milestone in the country's military engagement.
- 1997: Allan Francovich, an American documentary filmmaker known for investigative works like 'The Maltese Double Cross' exploring complex geopolitical topics such as the Lockerbie bombing and Operation Gladio, was noted on this date.
- 1992: On April 17, 1992, the oil tanker Katina P was deliberately run aground near Maputo, Mozambique, resulting in a massive environmental catastrophe. Approximately 60,000 tons of crude oil were released into the ocean, causing significant ecological damage to the marine ecosystem and coastal regions. This incident highlighted the severe environmental risks associated with maritime transportation of petroleum products and the potential long-term consequences of oil spills.
- 1989: New York State raised the maximum unemployment benefits to $245 per week, providing increased financial support for jobless workers during economic challenges.
- 1984: Rosanna Davison, an Irish model, was born on this date. She would later become a notable figure in Irish fashion and entertainment.
- 1976: Henrik Dam, a distinguished Dutch biochemist who was a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, passed away. Dam was known for his significant contributions to biochemistry and medical research.
What famous birthdays are on April 17?
On April 17th there are the following famous birthdays:
![William Holden]()
William Holden (1918)William Holden was a prominent American actor who won an Academy Award and starred in iconic films like 'Sunset Boulevard' and 'The Bridge...
![Sean Bean]()
Sean Bean (1959)Sean Bean is a renowned English actor famous for his iconic roles in 'The Lord of the Rings' as Boromir and in 'Game of Thrones' as Ned...
![Roddy Piper]()
Roddy Piper (1954)Professional wrestler famous for his iconic WWE performances and legendary feud with Hulk Hogan, known for his charismatic personality and...
![Jennifer Garner]()
Jennifer Garner (1972)Acclaimed American actress and film producer best known for her starring role in the spy-action thriller 'Alias'.
![James Last]()
James Last (1929)Renowned German musician and bandleader famous for his easy listening and instrumental pop music arrangements, who significantly influenced...
![Adam McKay]()
Adam McKay (1968)Acclaimed comedy film director and screenwriter known for satirical comedies like Anchorman, Step Brothers, and The Big Short, who has also...
![Olivia Hussey]()
Olivia Hussey (1951)Argentinean-British actress famous for her iconic role as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 film adaptation of 'Romeo and Juliet'.
![Rooney Mara]()
Rooney Mara (1985)Rooney Mara is an acclaimed American actress known for her powerful performances in critically acclaimed films like 'The Girl with the...
![David Bradley]()
David Bradley (1942)British actor known for roles in Harry Potter and Game of Thrones, portraying memorable characters like Argus Filch and Walder Frey.
![Billy Fury]()
Billy Fury (1940)Influential British rock and roll singer of the late 1950s and early 1960s, known for his dynamic performances and chart-topping hits.
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on April 17?
On April 17th the following celebrities died:
![Deanna Durbin]()
Deanna Durbin (2013)Deanna Durbin was a renowned Hollywood actress and singer who rose to stardom as a teenager, becoming one of the most popular musical film...
![Doris Roberts]()
Doris Roberts (2016)Emmy Award-winning American actress best known for her role in the popular sitcom 'Everybody Loves Raymond'.
![Kitty Carlisle]()
Kitty Carlisle (2007)Renowned American entertainer known for her work in film, television, and as a long-time panelist on the popular game show 'To Tell the...
![Eva Novak]()
- Barbara Bush (2018)
Barbara Bush was a prominent First Lady of the United States, wife of President George H. W. Bush and mother of President George W. Bush.
- Shakeel Badayuni (1970)
Shakeel Badayuni was a prominent Indian lyricist who significantly contributed to Bollywood's golden era of music during the 1950s and...
- Cheo Feliciano (2014)
Legendary Puerto Rican salsa singer who significantly influenced Latin music, known for his powerful voice and iconic hits like 'Anacaona'.
- Eddie Cochran (1960)
Influential rock and roll musician of the late 1950s known for hits like 'Summertime Blues' and 'C'mon Everybody'.
- Robert Atkins (2003)
Renowned American physician and cardiologist who created the famous Atkins Diet, a globally recognized low-carbohydrate nutritional...
What day of the year is April 17?
April 17th marks the 107th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 108th in case of leap years).
There are 258 days remaining until the end of the year.
April 17th is the 17th day of the month of April.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day April 17?
The zodiac sign associated with April 17th is Aries according to the Western Zodiac.
