March 17 has marked significant moments across history, spanning politics, culture, and sports. From the birth of iconic figures to groundbreaking achievements in art and music, this date holds a rich tapestry of events. Notable milestones include pivotal political shifts and unforgettable athletic records. Each event contributes to a broader narrative, inviting further exploration into the profound impacts of this day on our world.
History
Major Historical Events
1919 – Nat King Cole’s Birth: The legendary American singer and jazz pianist Nat King Cole was born on this day in Montgomery, Alabama.
Known for his smooth baritone voice, he became one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century with hits like “Unforgettable” and “Mona Lisa.”
1941 – National Gallery of Art Opens: The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., was officially opened to the public on March 17.
Established with a significant donation from financier Andrew W. Mellon, it remains a cornerstone of American cultural heritage, housing an extensive collection of art.
1969 – Golda Meir Becomes Israel’s Prime Minister: Golda Meir was sworn in as the fourth Prime Minister of Israel on this date, becoming one of the first women to lead a nation in modern history.
Her tenure was marked by significant challenges, including the Yom Kippur War.
1992 – South African Referendum on Apartheid: A historic referendum was held in South Africa on March 17, where the white population voted overwhelmingly to end apartheid.
This paved the way for negotiations to dismantle the discriminatory system and shift to a democratic government.
2011 – UN Approves No-Fly Zone Over Libya: The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1973 on this day, authorizing a no-fly zone over Libya and military intervention to protect civilians during the Libyan Civil War.
This marked a significant international response to the conflict.
Famous Birthdays
1919 – Nat King Cole: As mentioned earlier, the iconic jazz musician and singer Nat King Cole was born on this day in Montgomery, Alabama.
His contributions to music continue to inspire generations.
1938 – Rudolf Nureyev: The world-renowned Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev was born on March 17 near Irkutsk, Russia.
Known for his incredible talent and dramatic defection to the West in 1961, he redefined modern ballet.
1951 – Kurt Russell: American actor Kurt Russell was born on this date in Springfield, Massachusetts.
With a career spanning decades, he is celebrated for roles in films like “Escape from New York” and “The Thing.”
1964 – Rob Lowe: Actor Rob Lowe, known for his roles in “The West Wing” and “St. Elmo’s Fire,” was born on March 17 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
He remains a prominent figure in Hollywood.
Notable Deaths
1957 – Ramon Magsaysay: Ramon Magsaysay, the seventh President of the Philippines, died tragically in a plane crash on March 17.
Known for his anti-corruption stance and populist policies, his death was a significant loss to the nation.
2005 – George F. Kennan: American diplomat and historian George F. Kennan passed away on this day at the age of 101.
Often credited with shaping Cold War policy through his “containment” strategy, his influence on international relations was profound.
2016 – Cliff Michelmore: British broadcaster Cliff Michelmore, a pioneering figure in television journalism, died on March 17.
He was best known for hosting the BBC’s “Tonight” program during the mid-20th century.
Today in Music History
1967 – The Beatles Release “Penny Lane”: On this day, The Beatles released their double A-side single “Penny Lane”/”Strawberry Fields Forever” in the United States.
“Penny Lane,” inspired by a street in Liverpool, became a chart-topping hit and a classic in their catalog.
1973 – Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” Charts: Pink Floyd’s iconic album “The Dark Side of the Moon” entered the Billboard 200 chart on March 17.
This began a record-breaking run that would see it remain on the chart for over 900 weeks.
1997 – The Notorious B.I.G.’s Album Release: Just days after his tragic death, The Notorious B.I.G.’s album “Life After Death” was posthumously released on March 17.
It became one of the best-selling hip-hop albums of all time.
Today in Sports History
1901 – First Recorded Women’s Basketball Game: On March 17, the first documented women’s basketball game under modern rules took place at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.
This marked a milestone in women’s sports history.
1966 – Bobby Hull Sets NHL Record: Chicago Blackhawks star Bobby Hull scored his 51st goal of the season on this day.
He became the first NHL player to surpass 50 goals in a single season, a remarkable achievement in hockey history.
1995 – Michael Jordan Returns to NBA: Basketball legend Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA on March 17 with a simple press release stating, “I’m back.”
He rejoined the Chicago Bulls after a brief retirement, leading them to further championships.
2012 – Lionel Messi Breaks Scoring Record: On this day, Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick for Barcelona.
This surpassed César Rodríguez as the club’s all-time leading goal scorer at just 24 years old, cementing his status as a football icon.
Today in Military and Naval History
1863 – Battle of Kelly’s Ford: During the American Civil War, the Battle of Kelly’s Ford took place on March 17 in Virginia.
It was a significant cavalry engagement, marking one of the early instances where Union forces demonstrated tactical prowess against Confederate troops.
1942 – USS Kearny Repaired After Attack: The USS Kearny, a U.S. Navy destroyer torpedoed by a German U-boat in October 1941, returned to service on March 17.
This symbolized American resilience in the early stages of World War II.
1973 – First Female Naval Aviators Graduate: On this day, the U.S. Navy celebrated the graduation of its first female aviators.
This was a historic step toward gender integration in military aviation roles.
Today in Tech and Science History
1959 – Vanguard 2 Satellite Launched: On March 17, the United States successfully launched Vanguard 2, one of the first weather satellites, into orbit.
It provided valuable data on Earth’s cloud cover, advancing meteorological science.
1999 – International Space Station Module Added: The Unity module of the International Space Station was connected to the Zarya module on this day.
This marked a key milestone in the collaborative construction of the orbiting laboratory.
2013 – Largest Solar Flare of the Year: On March 17, NASA recorded one of the largest solar flares of 2013, classified as an M1.1 flare.
This offered scientists vital insights into solar activity and its impact on Earth.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1906 – First St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Boston: While St. Patrick’s Day parades had occurred earlier, the city of Boston officially hosted its first major parade on March 17, 1906.
This tradition has since grown into a massive cultural celebration.
1958 – Premiere of “South Pacific” Film: The film adaptation of the Broadway musical “South Pacific” premiered on this day.
It brought the story of love and war in the Pacific to a wider audience and earned critical acclaim.
1970 – “My Lai Massacre” Photos Published: On March 17, Life magazine published haunting photographs of the My Lai Massacre, which had occurred two years earlier in Vietnam.
The images shocked the world and fueled anti-war sentiment.
1985 – First Internet Domain Registered: On this day, the first commercial Internet domain name, symbolics.com, was registered by Symbolics Inc.
This marked the beginning of the modern Internet era.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1762 – First St. Patrick’s Day Parade in NYC: On March 17, Irish soldiers serving in the British military marched through New York City in what is considered the first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade.
This was long before it became the massive celebration we recognize today.
1931 – Nevada Legalizes Gambling: On this day, Nevada became the first U.S. state to legalize gambling.
This decision would eventually transform Las Vegas into the entertainment capital of the world.
1994 – Largest Omelet Record Set: In an odd culinary feat, the city of Yokohama, Japan, created the world’s largest omelet on March 17, using over 160,000 eggs.
This is an eccentric record that still stands as a quirky historical tidbit.
Today in History for Kids
461 – St. Patrick’s Death: According to tradition, St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, died on March 17.
This is why this day is celebrated as St. Patrick’s Day with parades, green clothes, and shamrocks to honor his legacy of spreading Christianity in Ireland.
1941 – National Gallery of Art Opens: Kids, imagine a huge museum full of amazing paintings and sculptures!
On this day, the National Gallery of Art opened in Washington, D.C., giving everyone a chance to see beautiful art for free.
1959 – First Weather Satellite Launched: On March 17, a special satellite called Vanguard 2 was sent into space to take pictures of Earth’s clouds.
It helped scientists predict the weather better, keeping us safe from storms.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1905 – Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity Paper: On March 17, Albert Einstein completed the first draft of his groundbreaking paper on the theory of relativity, though it wasn’t published until later.
This work changed how we understand time and space forever.
1921 – Constitution of Poland Adopted: On this day, Poland adopted its first modern constitution, known as the March Constitution.
This established a democratic framework after regaining independence post-World War I.
1988 – Longest Commercial Flight Record: A Qantas Boeing 747 completed the longest non-stop commercial flight on March 17.
It traveled from London to Sydney in just over 20 hours, evidence of advancements in aviation technology.
2003 – Iraq War Prelude: On this day, U.S. President George W. Bush issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq.
This marked the final diplomatic step before the Iraq War began, a pivotal moment in modern history.