Europa
- 497 BC: The first Saturnalia festival was celebrated in ancient Rome, marking a significant tradition in Roman culture.
- 546: The Ostrogoths, led by King Totila, plundered Rome during the Siege of Rome by bribing the Eastern Roman garrison.
- 1354: Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut and Holy Roman Empress, and her son William I, Duke of Bavaria, signed a peace treaty ending the Hook and Cod wars in the Low Countries.
- 1538: Pope Paul III excommunicated Henry VIII of England, a pivotal moment in the English Reformation.
- 1583: During the Cologne War, forces under Ernest of Bavaria defeated Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg at the Siege of Godesberg in Germany.
- 1718: The War of the Quadruple Alliance saw Great Britain declare war on Spain, shaping European alliances and conflicts.
- 1732: Death of Prince Josef Johann Adam of Liechtenstein in what is now the Czech Republic.
- 1734: Birth of Maria I, Queen of Portugal, at Ribeira Palace in Lisbon.
- 1847: Death of Marie Louise of Austria, Empress of France and second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, in Parma, Italy.
- 1909: Death of King Leopold II of Belgium at the Royal Palace of Laeken.
- 1778: Birth of Sir Humphrey Davy, English inventor of the miners’ safety lamp, in Penzance, England.
- 1843: Charles Dickens began inscribing copies of his new novel, A Christmas Carol, for friends, just before its general publication.
- 1849: The first ‘bowler’ hat was sold by Thomas and William Bowler to William Coke at James Lock & Co. in London.
- 1865: The first performance of Franz Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony” took place.
- 2003: The Soham murder trial concluded in London, with Ian Huntley found guilty of murder.
- 2003: December 17 was established as the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, highlighting the issue globally, including in Europe.
- 2014: The United States and Cuba re-established diplomatic relations, an event with international implications, including for European foreign policy.
America
- The Wright Brothers’ First Flight (1903)
On December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful sustained flights in a powered, heavier-than-air airplane. Orville piloted the first flight, which lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet. Wilbur later flew 852 feet in 59 seconds. This achievement marked the beginning of the modern aviation era and is widely regarded as one of the most significant technological milestones in American—and world—history. - 1777: France formally recognized the independence of the United States during the American Revolution, a crucial diplomatic victory for the new nation.
- 1812: During the War of 1812, U.S. forces attacked a Lenape village in the Battle of the Mississinewa.
- 1835: The second Great Fire of New York destroyed 13 acres of New York City’s Financial District.
- 1862: General Ulysses S. Grant issued General Order No. 11, expelling Jews from parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky during the American Civil War.
- 1892: The first issue of Vogue magazine was published in the United States.
- 1933: The inaugural NFL championship game took place, with the Chicago Bears defeating the New York Giants 23-21 at Wrigley Field.
- 1944: The U.S. Army’s Western Defense Command rescinded the orders that had incarcerated Japanese Americans on the West Coast during World War II, ending a policy that had forced over 110,000 people into internment camps.
- 1992: U.S. President George H.W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
- 2003: The film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was released worldwide, including in the United States.
Asia
- South Asia: The 1971 Indo-Pakistani War Ceasefire
On December 17, 1971, a significant ceasefire was declared in Kashmir, effectively ending the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. This ceasefire paved the way for the creation of Bangladesh and the establishment of a new Line of Control in Kashmir, which was formally agreed upon a year later, on December 17, 1972. This date is pivotal in South Asian history, marking a major geopolitical shift in the region. - East Asia: Bhutan National Day
December 17 is celebrated as National Day in Bhutan, commemorating the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first hereditary king in 1907. This event marked the unification of Bhutan and the beginning of the Wangchuck dynasty, which continues to rule the country. - West Asia: Kurdistan Flag Day
December 17 is observed as Kurdistan Flag Day, marking the first raising of the Kurdish flag in Mahabad, eastern Kurdistan, in 1945. This is a significant occasion for Kurdish identity and autonomy. - Middle East & North Africa: The Spark of the Arab Spring
On December 17, 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor, set himself on fire in protest of government corruption and police harassment. His act became the catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution and the wider Arab Spring, sparking waves of protest and political change across the Arab world. - East Asia: Leadership Transition in Bhutan
On December 17, 2005, Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne as King of Bhutan, passing the monarchy to his son and marking a peaceful transition in the Himalayan kingdom. - East Asia: North Korea
In 2011, North Korea held nationwide ceremonies commemorating the death of its leader Kim Jong-il, with three minutes of silence observed across the country. - Southeast Asia: Natural Disaster
On December 17, 2011, flash floods caused by Tropical Storm Washi devastated parts of the Philippines, resulting in at least 400 deaths and many more missing.
Africa
- The Spark of the Arab Spring: Tunisia, 2010
On December 17, 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor, set himself on fire in protest of government corruption and police harassment. His act of self-immolation became the catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution, which ultimately led to the ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. This event is widely recognized as the beginning of the Arab Spring, a wave of uprisings and protests that spread across North Africa and the Middle East, profoundly impacting the political landscape of the region. - Ethiopia: 1960 Coup Attempt Crushed
On December 17, 1960, troops loyal to Emperor Haile Selassie crushed a coup that had begun on December 13, restoring power to the emperor upon his return from Brazil. This failed coup was a significant event in Ethiopian history, highlighting internal political tensions and the resilience of the monarchy at that time. - South Africa: Historical Events
While no single iconic event for December 17 stands out in South African history, the date falls within a period of heightened anti-apartheid activity and political change. The South African History Online archive lists multiple events in December related to resistance, legal changes, and international solidarity, reflecting the ongoing struggle against apartheid and for democracy.
This day in history: 17 december