August 17: What Happened on This Day in History
August 17th marks the 229th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 230th in case of leap years). There are 136 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on August 17th in history, famous birthdays on August 17th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to August 17.
What happened on August 17?
Here's what happened on August 17th in history:
- 2013: Mario Ramirez Trevino, a prominent leader of the Gulf Cartel, was detained by Mexican authorities in Tamaulipas, marking a significant blow to organized crime.
- 2008: Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui Bian was barred from leaving Taiwan due to ongoing corruption investigations, marking a significant moment in Taiwan's political accountability and judicial process.
- 2006: Conflicting reports emerged regarding potential North Korean nuclear test preparations. An ABC News source suggested intelligence community concerns about a possible nuclear test, citing suspicious vehicle movements. However, a Reuters report from a US official contradicted these claims, stating no new evidence existed.
- 1991: A tragic mass shooting in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, where taxi driver Wade Frankum killed seven people and wounded six others before committing suicide, shocking the local community and highlighting issues of gun violence.
- 1990: The horror film 'Exorcist 3', directed by William Peter Blatty and based on his novel 'Legion', was released in theaters, continuing the supernatural thriller franchise.
- 1987: Paul Molitor achieved the longest hitting streak of the 1980s, extending his record to 32 consecutive games, demonstrating exceptional batting consistency and skill.
- 1986: Pat Bradley secures victory at the LPGA Nestle World Golf Championship
- 1983: On August 17, 1983, a significant magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the island of Luzon in the Philippine Islands. The seismic event caused extensive damage in the Pasuquin-Laoag-Batac and Serrat regions, resulting in 16 fatalities and 47 injuries. The earthquake, classified as having a Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), led to building collapses, infrastructure disruption, and geological changes including the formation of sand volcanoes and ground cracks. Seven towns were impacted, with electricity infrastructure severely affected in Laoag.
- 1978: The Double Eagle II successfully completed the first-ever transatlantic balloon flight, landing in Miserey, France near Paris after a remarkable 137-hour journey that began in Presque Isle, Maine. Pilots Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman made history by achieving this unprecedented aerial feat, demonstrating extraordinary skill, endurance, and courage in navigating across the vast Atlantic Ocean.
- 1975: Professional golfer Jo Ann Washam secured victory at the LPGA Patty Berg Golf Classic on August 17, 1975, adding another milestone to her competitive golf career.
What famous birthdays are on August 17?
On August 17th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Robert De Niro]()
Robert De Niro (1943)Robert De Niro is a legendary American actor, director, and producer renowned for his transformative performances in some of cinema’s most iconic films. He is celebrated for his collaborations with director Martin Scorsese, including 'Taxi Driver', 'Raging Bull', and 'Goodfellas'. De Niro is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation, having received multiple accolades … [bio]
![Sean Penn]()
Sean Penn (1960)Sean Penn is an acclaimed American actor, director, and screenwriter, known for his intense and emotionally rich performances in film. He has received multiple awards, including two Academy Awards for Best Actor. Penn is also recognized for his political activism and humanitarian efforts. [bio]
![Jonathan Franzen]()
Jonathan Franzen (1959)Jonathan Franzen is a prominent contemporary American novelist known for his critically acclaimed and bestselling novels that explore...
![Austin Butler]()
Austin Butler (1991)Austin Butler is an acclaimed American actor known for his breakout role as Elvis Presley in the 2022 biopic 'Elvis', for which he won a...
![Julian Fellowes]()
Julian Fellowes (1949)Renowned English screenwriter, director, actor, and politician best known for creating the critically acclaimed TV series Downton Abbey and...
![Donnie Wahlberg]()
Donnie Wahlberg (1969)American musician, actor, and member of the iconic boy band New Kids on the Block, who later became a successful actor in film and...
![Oleg Tabakov]()
Oleg Tabakov (1935)Renowned Russian theater and film actor, director, and pedagogue who significantly influenced Soviet and Russian performing arts.
![Maureen O'Hara]()
Maureen O'Hara (1920)A legendary Irish-American actress known for her vibrant screen presence in classic Hollywood films, particularly in romantic comedies and...
![Helen McCrory]()
Helen McCrory (1968)Renowned British actress known for her roles in Harry Potter, Peaky Blinders, and numerous stage productions.
![Yû Aoi]()
Yû Aoi (1985)Yû Aoi is a prominent Japanese actress known for her versatile performances in critically acclaimed films and television series, with...
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 August 17?
On August 17th the following celebrities died:
![Yvonne Craig]()
Yvonne Craig (2015)Yvonne Craig was an American actress and dancer best known for her iconic role as Batgirl in the 1960s Batman television series, which made...
![Billy Murray]()
![Pearl Bailey]()
Pearl Bailey (1990)Pearl Bailey was a renowned African American entertainer who excelled in vaudeville, nightclubs, films, and music.
![Vivian Vance]()
Vivian Vance (1979)Beloved American actress famous for her role as Ethel Mertz on the iconic sitcom 'I Love Lucy', which revolutionized television comedy in...
![Richard Barthelmess]()
![Ioan Slavici]()
Ioan Slavici (1925)Prominent Romanian writer and journalist, known for his contributions to Romanian literature.
![Carlos Drummond de Andrade]()
Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1987)Renowned Brazilian poet who is considered a pivotal figure in 20th-century Brazilian literature, known for his modernist style and profound...
![Shamsur Rahman]()
Shamsur Rahman (2006)Prominent Bangladeshi poet and journalist who significantly contributed to Bengali literature during the 20th century, known for his...
![Ken Miles]()
Ken Miles (1966)Legendary British racing driver and automotive engineer known for his pivotal role in Ford's racing program, particularly in the development...
![Barbara Morgan]()
Barbara Morgan (1992)Barbara Morgan was a NASA astronaut and educator who was selected as a backup for Christa McAuliffe in the Teacher in Space Project.
What day of the year is August 17?
August 17th marks the 229th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 230th in case of leap years).
There are 136 days remaining until the end of the year.
August 17th is the 17th day of the month of August.
What day of the week is August 17?
On August 17th, 2025 the day of the week is Sunday.
| August | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
What zodiac sign is associated with the day August 17?
The zodiac sign associated with August 17th is Leo according to the Western Zodiac.
