March 17 is the 76th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 289 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about March 17th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about March 17th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- Saint Patrick Day.
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – March 17
1992: Apartheid in South Africa comes to an end
In a referendum, 68.7% of white South Africans voted for an abolishment of racial segregation in the country.
1973: The photograph known as Burst of joy is taken
Photographer Slava Veder was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for the image depicting a former U.S. prisoner of war being reunited with his family.
1969: Golda Meir becomes Israel’s first female Prime Minister
In her country, Meir was known as the “Iron Lady” long before British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher rose to power.
1959: The Dalai Lama flees Tibet for India
Followers and advisers of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, feared for his life after a revolt had erupted in Lhasa against the Chinese.
1941: The National Gallery of Art opens in Washington. D.C.
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt opened the gallery, which today houses one of the world’s finest art collections.
1941: A British couple sleeps inside a “Morrison shelter” used as protection from collapsing homes during the WWII ‘Blitz’ bombing raids… March 1941 –
1905: Albert Einstein finishes his scientific paper detailing his Quantum Theory of Light, one of the foundations of modern physics.
1521: Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan reaches the Philippines in 1521.
45 BC: Julius Caesar defeats the Pompeian forces of Titus Labienus and Pompey the Younger in the Battle of Munda in 45 BC.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, March 17
1967: Billy Corgan, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer
1948: William Gibson, American/Canadian author
1919: Nat King Cole, American singer, pianist, television host
1883: Urmuz, Romanian judge, author
1834: Gottlieb Daimler, German engineer, businessman, co-founded Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft
Kalpana Chawla was born.
Saina Nehwal was born.
Sekh Mujibur Rahman was born.
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, March 17
2006: Oleg Cassini, French/American fashion designer
2005: George F. Kennan, American historian, diplomat, United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union
1956: Fred Allen, American comedian, actor, radio host
460: Saint Patrick, Irish missionary, bishop
180: Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor
Marcus Aurelius died.
Saint Patrick died.
Napoleon Louis Bonaparte died.