December 17: What Happened on This Day in History
December 17th marks the 351st day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 352nd in case of leap years). There are 14 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 17th in history, famous birthdays on December 17th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 17.
What happened on December 17?
Here's what happened on December 17th in history:
- 2021: Israeli settlers violently entered several villages in the occupied West Bank, physically assaulting and injuring at least two individuals, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.
- 2014: In response to the horrific Taliban attack on a Peshawar school that killed 141 people, including 132 children, Pakistan lifted its moratorium on the death penalty for terror-related cases. This tragic event marked a significant turning point in Pakistan's counter-terrorism strategy.
- 2004: The Seattle Mariners baseball team signed free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre to a lucrative $64 million, five-year contract, marking a significant investment in the player's potential.
- 2002: The Bush administration announced plans to deploy a limited missile defense system to protect the United States by 2004, signaling a significant shift in national security strategy in the post-9/11 era.
- 2000: The Australian Railroad Group officially commenced operations following its strategic acquisition of Westrail, marking a significant moment in the country's transportation and logistics sector.
- 1995: Richard Brinsley Sheridan's classic comedy 'The School for Scandal' concluded its limited run at the historic Lyceum Theater in New York City after a brief 23-performance engagement. The production, a revival of the famous 18th-century satirical play, explored the social hypocrisy and gossip of London's high society, showcasing the witty and sharp social commentary that made Sheridan's work renowned.
- 1994: On December 17, 1994, the MS Estonia, a cruise ferry sailing between Tallinn, Estonia, and Stockholm, Sweden, sank in the Baltic Sea in one of the worst maritime disasters in European history. The vessel encountered severe storm conditions and experienced a critical failure of its bow door, which led to rapid flooding of the car deck. The catastrophic sinking resulted in the tragic loss of 852 lives, with only 137 survivors. The disaster prompted significant changes in maritime safety regulations and became a profound tragedy that deeply affected the Nordic countries.
- 1988: The USS Tennessee, a nuclear-powered submarine, was commissioned as the first vessel in the US Navy capable of carrying Trident 2 (D5) submarine-launched ballistic missiles. This marked a significant advancement in the United States' naval strategic nuclear deterrence capabilities during the late Cold War period.
- 1985: On December 17, 1985, President Ronald Reagan signed the Gold Bullion Coin Act (Public Law 99-185), authorizing the U.S. Treasury to mint a series of gold bullion coins with specific weight and purity standards. The act established four denominations of gold coins: $50 (one ounce), $25 (half ounce), $10 (quarter ounce), and $5 (tenth ounce), with a gold purity of 91.67%. The legislation prioritized using gold from domestic natural deposits or U.S. reserves, with a unique provision that profits from coin sales would be directed towards reducing the national debt.
- 1981: In a significant terrorist act during the 'Years of Lead' in Italy, the left-wing terrorist group Red Brigades kidnapped American Brigadier General James L. Dozier in Verona, Italy. This high-profile abduction was part of the group's campaign against NATO and perceived symbols of Western imperialism.
What famous birthdays are on December 17?
On December 17th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Bernard Hill]()
Bernard Hill (1944)Renowned English actor famous for roles in 'Titanic' and 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, playing Captain Edward Smith and King Théoden...
![Mike Mills]()
Mike Mills (1958)Mike Mills is a renowned American musician and bassist, best known as a founding member of the influential alternative rock band R.E.
![Milla Jovovich]()
Milla Jovovich (1975)Internationally renowned Ukrainian-American actress and model, famous for her roles in action films like 'Resident Evil' and 'The Fifth...
![Sarah Paulson]()
Sarah Paulson (1974)Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress known for her versatile roles in television series like American Horror Story and The People v. O. J....
![Eugene Levy]()
Eugene Levy (1946)Renowned Canadian comedian, actor, and writer best known for his work on SCTV and in comedy films like American Pie and Best in Show.
![Giovanni Ribisi]()
Giovanni Ribisi (1974)Versatile character actor known for roles in films like Ted, Avatar, and Saving Private Ryan.
![Wes Studi]()
Wes Studi (1947)Prominent Native American actor known for roles in films like 'Dances with Wolves' and 'The Last of the Mohicans', recognized for portraying...
![John Abraham]()
John Abraham (1972)Prominent Indian film actor and producer known for his work in Bollywood and action movies.
![Katheryn Winnick]()
Katheryn Winnick (1977)Canadian actress known for her prominent roles in television series like Vikings and Big Sky, with significant acting career in film and TV.
![Rian Johnson]()
Rian Johnson (1973)American film director, screenwriter, and producer known for innovative films like Knives Out and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
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 December 17?
On December 17th the following celebrities died:
![Thomas Mitchell]()
Thomas Mitchell (1962)Renowned Hollywood character actor who won an Academy Award and appeared in classic films like 'Gone with the Wind' and 'It's a Wonderful...
![Jennifer Jones]()
Jennifer Jones (2009)Acclaimed American actress who won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1943 for her remarkable portrayal of Bernadette in 'The Song of...
![Dana Andrews]()
Dana Andrews (1992)Prominent Hollywood actor known for classic films like 'Laura' and 'The Best Years of Our Lives', who had a significant career in mid-20th...
![Janet Margolin]()
- Kaspar Hauser (1833)
Mysterious foundling who claimed to have grown up in isolation, sparking much speculation.
- Marguerite Yourcenar (1987)
Belgian-born French novelist and essayist, the first woman to be elected to the Académie française.
- Sammy Baugh (2008)
Legendary NFL quarterback who played for the Washington Redskins and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Janet Rowley (2013)
Pioneering American geneticist who made groundbreaking discoveries in cancer research, particularly in understanding the genetic basis of...
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1917)
First woman to qualify as a physician and surgeon in Britain, and a pioneer in the medical education of women.
- C. Vann Woodward (1999)
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian who revolutionized understanding of race relations and the American South through groundbreaking scholarly...
What day of the year is December 17?
December 17th marks the 351st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 352nd in case of leap years).
There are 14 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 17th is the 17th day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 17?
On December 17th, 2025 the day of the week is Wednesday.
| December | 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 December 17?
The zodiac sign associated with December 17th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
