August 17 in History
August 17 is the birthday of Rayan Cherki (2003) and the anniversary of the death of Terence Stamp (2025). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for August 17, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Philibert I, Duke of Savoy was born in 1465, while Carloman, mayor of the palace of Austrasia died in 754.
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Famous people born on August 17
Famous people who died on August 17
2024
Silvio Santos (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Brazilian television presenter and business magnate (1930–2024)
2015
Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
German politician and sports administrator (1933–2015)
2014
Børre Knudsen (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Norwegian Lutheran priest and anti-abortion activist
2007
Eddie Griffin (basketball) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American basketball player (1982–2007)
2006
Shamsur Rahman (poet) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Bangladeshi poet, writer, journalist (1929 – 2006)
2004
Thea Astley (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Australian novelist and short story writer (1925 – 2004)
What happened on August 17
- 2019
A bomb explodes at a wedding in Kabul killing 63 people and leaving 182 injured.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2017
Barcelona attacks: A van is driven into pedestrians in La Rambla, killing 14 and injuring at least 100.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2015
A bomb explodes near the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, killing at least 19 people and injuring 123 others.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2009
An accident at the Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam in Khakassia, Russia, kills 75 and shuts down the hydroelectric power station, leading to widespread power failure in the local area.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2008
American swimmer Michael Phelps becomes the first person to win eight gold medals at one Olympic Games.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2005
The first forced evacuation of settlers, as part of Israeli disengagement from Gaza, starts.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2005
Over 500 bombs are set off by terrorists at 300 locations in 63 out of the 64 districts of Bangladesh.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2004
The National Assembly of Serbia unanimously adopts new state symbols for Serbia: Bože pravde becomes the new anthem and the coat of arms is adopted for the whole country.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1999
The 7.6 Mw İzmit earthquake shakes northwestern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), leaving 17,118–17,127 dead and 43,953–50,000 injured.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1998
Lewinsky scandal: US President Bill Clinton admits in taped testimony that he had an "improper physical relationship" with White House intern Monica Lewinsky; later that same day he admits before the nation that he "misled people" about the relationship.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1991
Strathfield massacre: In Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, taxi driver Wade Frankum shoots and kills seven people and injures six others before turning the gun on himself.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1988
President of Pakistan Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and U.S. Ambassador Arnold Raphel are killed in a plane crash.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1985
The 1985–86 Hormel strike begins in Austin, Minnesota.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1978
Double Eagle II becomes first balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean when it lands in Miserey, France near Paris, 137 hours after leaving Presque Isle, Maine.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1977
The Soviet icebreaker Arktika becomes the first surface ship to reach the North Pole.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on August 17
- 1465 — Philibert I, Duke of Savoy (died 1482)
- 1473 — Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York (died 1483)
- 1501 — Philipp II, Count of Hanau-Münzenberg (died 1529)
Died on August 17
- 754 — Carloman, mayor of the palace of Austrasia
- 949 — Li Shouzhen, Chinese general and governor
- 1153 — Eustace IV, Count of Boulogne (born 1130)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for August 17
Quick answers
Who was born on August 17? Rayan Cherki (2003), Nastasja Schunk (2003), The Kid Laroi (2003).
Who died on August 17? Terence Stamp (2025), Virginia Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie (2024), Silvio Santos (2024).
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Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the August 17 historical article above.
Ancestry
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