17 March

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

  1. Global Celebrations
  2. Historic Events
  3. Famous Birthdays
  4. Heartbreaking Deaths

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 –

1941: A British couple sleeps inside a "Morrison shelter” used as protection from collapsing homes during the WWII 'Blitz' bombing raids… March 1941 -
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.

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