February 17 in History
February 17 is the anniversary of the death of Jesse Jackson (2026). Below are deaths, events for February 17, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Wu Zetian, Chinese empress consort was born in 624, while Jovian, Roman emperor died in 364.
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Famous people who died on February 17
2026
Jesse Jackson (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American minister, activist and politician (1941–2026)
2016
Claude Jeancolas (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
French writer, art historian and journalist (1949–2016)
2015
John Barrow (Canadian football) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American gridiron football player (1935–2015)
2014
Wayne Smith (musician) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician (1965–2014)
What happened on February 17
- 2016
Military vehicles explode outside a Turkish Armed Forces barracks in Ankara, Turkey, killing at least 29 people and injuring 61 others.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2015
Eighteen people are killed and 78 injured in a stampede at a Mardi Gras parade in Haiti.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2011
Arab Spring: Libyan protests against Muammar Gaddafi's regime begin.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2011
Arab Spring: In Bahrain, security forces launch a deadly pre-dawn raid on protesters in Pearl Roundabout in Manama; the day is locally known as Bloody Thursday.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2008
Kosovo declares independence from Serbia.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2006
A massive mudslide occurs in Southern Leyte, Philippines; the official death toll is set at 1,126.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1996
In Philadelphia, world champion Garry Kasparov beats the Deep Blue supercomputer in a chess match.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1996
NASA's Discovery Program begins as the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft lifts off on the first mission ever to orbit and land on an asteroid, 433 Eros.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1996
The 8.2 Mw Biak earthquake shakes the Papua province of eastern Indonesia with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). A large tsunami followed, leaving 166 people dead or missing and 423 injured.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1995
The Cenepa War between Peru and Ecuador ends on a ceasefire brokered by the UN.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1992
First Nagorno-Karabakh War: Armenian troops massacre more than 20 Azerbaijani civilians during the Capture of Garadaghly.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1991
Ryan International Airlines Flight 590 crashes during takeoff from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, killing both pilots, the aircraft's only occupants.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1980
First winter ascent of Mount Everest by Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1979
The Sino-Vietnamese War begins.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1978
The Troubles: The Provisional IRA detonates an incendiary bomb at the La Mon restaurant, near Belfast, killing 12 and seriously injuring 30 others, all Protestants.
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 February 17
- 624 — Wu Zetian, Chinese empress consort (died 705)
- 1028 — Al-Juwayni, Persian scholar and imam (died 1085)
- 1490 — Charles III, duke of Bourbon (died 1527)
Died on February 17
- 364 — Jovian, Roman emperor (born 331)
- 440 — Mesrop Mashtots, Armenian monk, linguist, and theologian (born 360)
- 923 — Al-Tabari, Persian scholar (born 839)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for February 17
Quick answers
Who died on February 17? Jesse Jackson (2026), Shinya (musician) (2026), Paquita la del Barrio (2025).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in February? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the February 17 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
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Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
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