September 17 stands as a significant date in history, marked by transformative events across centuries. From the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 to the intense Battle of Antietam in 1862, this day has shaped nations and movements. Each event carries profound implications, sparking curiosity about their lasting impact. There’s much more to uncover about how these moments defined the past and influence the present.
History
Major Historical Events
1920 – Founding of the National Football League: On this day, the National Football League (NFL) was established in Canton, Ohio, as the American Professional Football Association before adopting its current name in 1922.
This marked the beginning of one of the most popular sports leagues in the United States, shaping professional football into a cultural phenomenon.
1939 – Soviet Invasion of Poland: Just weeks after Nazi Germany invaded Poland, sparking World War II, the Soviet Union invaded eastern Poland on September 17 under the terms of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
This dual invasion led to the rapid partition of Poland and intensified the global conflict.
1978 – Camp David Accords Signed: A historic peace agreement was signed between Israel and Egypt at Camp David, facilitated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
The accords laid the groundwork for the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, marking a significant step toward peace in the Middle East.
1983 – Vanessa Williams Crowned Miss America: Vanessa Williams became the first African American woman to win the Miss America title on this day.
Her victory was a milestone in breaking racial barriers in American pageantry, though her reign later faced controversy.
2011 – Occupy Wall Street Movement Begins: The Occupy Wall Street protests started in New York City’s Zuccotti Park, launching a global movement against economic inequality and corporate influence in politics.
The phrase “We are the 99%” became a rallying cry for activists worldwide.
Famous Birthdays
1857 – Konstantin Tsiolkovsky: Known as the father of astronautics, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was born in Russia on this day.
His pioneering work in rocket science and space travel theory laid the foundation for modern space exploration.
1931 – Anne Bancroft: The acclaimed American actress Anne Bancroft was born on September 17 in the Bronx, New York.
She is best remembered for her iconic role as Mrs. Robinson in the 1967 film “The Graduate,” earning her an Academy Award nomination.
1965 – Kyle Chandler: American actor Kyle Chandler was born on this day in Buffalo, New York.
Known for his roles in television series like “Friday Night Lights” and “Bloodline,” Chandler has become a respected figure in dramatic acting.
1986 – Priya Anand: Indian actress Priya Anand, known for her work in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema, was born on September 17 in Chennai, India.
She gained recognition for her roles in films like “English Vinglish” and continues to be a prominent figure in Indian cinema.
Notable Deaths
1996 – Spiro Agnew: Spiro Agnew, the 39th Vice President of the United States under Richard Nixon, passed away on this day at the age of 77.
Agnew resigned in 1973 amid charges of tax evasion and bribery, becoming the second vice president in U.S. history to resign.
2006 – Patricia Kennedy Lawford: Patricia Kennedy Lawford, a member of the prominent Kennedy family and sister to President John F. Kennedy, died on September 17 at the age of 82.
She was known for her marriage to actor Peter Lawford and her involvement in political and social causes.
2019 – Cokie Roberts: Esteemed American journalist and political commentator Cokie Roberts passed away on this day at 75.
A trailblazer for women in journalism, she was a longtime correspondent for NPR and ABC News, known for her insightful political analysis.
Today in Music History
1967 – The Doors Appear on The Ed Sullivan Show: On this day, The Doors performed their hit song “Light My Fire” on The Ed Sullivan Show, but controversy arose when Jim Morrison defied producers by singing the original lyrics, including a reference to drug use, leading to the band being banned from future appearances.
1976 – Ringo Starr Releases “Ringo’s Rotogravure”: Former Beatle Ringo Starr released his album “Ringo’s Rotogravure” on September 17, featuring contributions from fellow Beatles John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison.
The album included the single “A Dose of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
1984 – Prince’s “Purple Rain” Dominates Charts: By September 17, Prince’s iconic album “Purple Rain” had solidified its place at the top of the Billboard charts, accompanied by the film of the same name.
This era marked Prince as a global superstar with hits like “When Doves Cry.”
Today in Sports History
1900 – First Auto Race in the U.S. Ends: The first documented automobile race in the United States concluded on this day in Springfield, Massachusetts, with H.H. Kohlsaat winning the 250-mile event.
This race marked the beginning of organized auto racing in America.
1954 – Rocky Marciano Retains Heavyweight Title: On September 17, boxer Rocky Marciano defended his heavyweight title against Ezzard Charles in a rematch at Yankee Stadium.
Marciano knocked out Charles in the eighth round, maintaining his undefeated record.
2004 – Barry Bonds Hits 700th Home Run: San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds hit his 700th career home run on this day against the San Diego Padres, becoming only the third player in MLB history to reach this milestone at the time.
2016 – Paralympic Games Close in Rio: The 2016 Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, officially closed on September 17 after 11 days of inspiring competition, showcasing the incredible achievements of athletes with disabilities from around the world.
Today in Military and Naval History
1787 – U.S. Constitution Signed: On this day, the United States Constitution was signed in Philadelphia, establishing the framework for the nation’s government.
While not a direct military event, it provided the legal basis for the creation of the U.S. armed forces.
1862 – Battle of Antietam: The Battle of Antietam, fought near Sharpsburg, Maryland, on September 17, became the bloodiest single-day battle in American history during the Civil War, with over 22,000 casualties.
Though inconclusive, it gave President Lincoln the confidence to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
1944 – Operation Market Garden Begins: During World War II, the Allied forces launched Operation Market Garden on this day, an ambitious plan to seize key bridges in the Netherlands.
Though ultimately unsuccessful, it remains one of the largest airborne operations in history.
Today in Tech and Science History
1908 – First Fatal Airplane Crash: On September 17, the first fatal airplane crash occurred at Fort Myer, Virginia, during a demonstration flight by Orville Wright.
The crash killed passenger Lt. Thomas Selfridge and injured Wright, highlighting the risks of early aviation.
1976 – Space Shuttle Enterprise Revealed: NASA revealed the first Space Shuttle, named Enterprise, on this day in Palmdale, California.
Though it never flew into space, Enterprise was used for critical test flights and inspired future shuttle missions.
2015 – Discovery of Homo Naledi: On September 17, scientists announced the discovery of Homo naledi, a new species of human ancestor, in South Africa’s Rising Star Cave system.
This find added significant insight into human evolutionary history.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1907 – First Issue of “The Strand Magazine” in the U.S.: On this day, the popular British periodical “The Strand Magazine,” known for publishing Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, released its first American edition, bringing British literature to a wider audience.
1957 – Premiere of “The Three Faces of Eve”: The film “The Three Faces of Eve,” starring Joanne Woodward, premiered on September 17.
Woodward’s portrayal of a woman with dissociative identity disorder earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.
1989 – “Doogie Howser, M.D.” Debuts on TV: The television series “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” about a teenage genius doctor, premiered on ABC on this day.
Starring Neil Patrick Harris, the show became a cultural touchstone for the early 1990s.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1937 – First Comic Strip of “Li’l Abner”: On this day, the satirical comic strip “Li’l Abner” by Al Capp debuted in newspapers.
Set in the fictional Dogpatch, USA, the strip humorously critiqued American society and politics for decades.
1972 – MASH TV Series Premieres: The iconic TV series “MASH,” a dark comedy about a mobile army surgical hospital during the Korean War, premiered on September 17.
Its blend of humor and drama made it one of the longest-running and most beloved shows in TV history.
Today in History for Kids
1787 – Signing of the U.S. Constitution: A super important paper called the U.S. Constitution was signed on this day in Philadelphia.
It’s like the rulebook for how the United States works, deciding how leaders are chosen and how laws are made.
1908 – First Airplane Crash: On September 17, the very first deadly airplane crash happened when Orville Wright, one of the inventors of the airplane, was flying with a passenger who sadly didn’t survive.
It showed how dangerous flying was back then.
1976 – First Space Shuttle Revealed: NASA showed off the first Space Shuttle, called Enterprise, on this day.
Even though it didn’t go to space, it helped scientists test ideas for future spaceships that would take astronauts to the stars.
2011 – Occupy Wall Street Starts: A big group of people started protesting in New York City on this day to talk about how money and fairness aren’t equal for everyone.
They camped out in a park and got people all over the world thinking about these big ideas.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1862 – Bloodiest Day in U.S. History: Did you know that the Battle of Antietam on September 17 is considered the deadliest single day in American military history?
Over 22,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing in just one day during the Civil War.
1920 – NFL’s Humble Beginnings: It’s fascinating to think that the NFL, now a multi-billion-dollar league, started on this day in a small car dealership in Canton, Ohio, with just a handful of teams and no fancy stadiums.
1978 – Peace in the Middle East: The Camp David Accords, signed on this day, were a rare moment of hope in a region often marked by conflict, showing how leaders can come together to solve big problems with the help of a mediator like President Carter.
2004 – Barry Bonds’ Milestone: When Barry Bonds hit his 700th home run on September 17, it was a huge deal in baseball history, reminding fans of the incredible power and skill it takes to achieve such a record in America’s pastime.
2015 – A New Human Ancestor: The discovery of Homo naledi on this day in a South African cave was mind-blowing because it showed scientists a whole new piece of the puzzle about where humans came from, with bones that looked both ancient and familiar.