December 17th is known as Wright Brothers Day and Maple Syrup Day.
We are now on the 352nd day of the year, congratulations for making it this far! There’s only 8 days left until Christmas Day.
This day in history has been a truly magnificent day for various reasons. Keep reading to understand what makes December 17th so special.
Did you know that on this day in 1989, The Simpsons premiered on Fox TV as a full animated series? The pilot episode was called “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire.”
Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about December 17th in history!
Events
What memorable events happened on December 17 in history? Keep reading to find out!
2021
Scientists discovered the world’s first “true” millipede in Western Australia.
Previously, the most legs any known millipede had was 750. The newly discovered species, “Eumillipes Persephone,” has over 1,306 legs, making it the first to truly match the Latin meaning of “millipede,” which means “thousand legs.”
2019
Australia recorded its hottest day ever with an average temperature of 105°F across the country.
1986
American mafia hitman Richard Kuklinski was arrested at a roadblock.
After Special Agent Polifrone went undercover to lure out Kuklinski, Polifrone gave Kuklinski some fake cyanide to use for a murder. Kuklinski found out later that it was fake and decided to not go through with the hit but was arrested at a roadblock on his way home.
1973
Terrorists attacked Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino International Airport, leaving thirty dead.
Shortly before Pan-Am flight 110 departed from the airport, five armed Palestinian terrorists walked out onto the tarmac and started shooting at the plane. During the attack, the aircraft itself was destroyed, but most passengers were able to escape with their lives.
Famous Births
Are you celebrating your birthday today? If so, did you know that you share the same birthday as Laurie Holden? See what other famous people were born on this day.
1974
Sarah Paulson
American
Actress
Age:
50 years old
Born In:
Florida, USA
1936
Pope Francis
Argentine
Religious Leader
Age:
88 years old
Born In:
Federal District, Argentina
1975
Milla Jovovich
American
Actress
Age:
49 years old
Born In:
Kiev, Ukraine
1953
Bill Pullman
American
Actor
Age:
71 years old
Born In:
New York, USA
1969
Laurie Holden
Canadian-American
Actress
Age:
55 years old
Born In:
California, USA
1977
Katheryn Winnick
Canadian
Actor
Age:
47 years old
Born In:
Ontario, Canada
Famous Deaths
Unfortunately, December 17th has also been a day where we’ve had to say some goodbyes over the years…
1941
2011
Kim Jong-il
North Korean
Politician
1941
2011
Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il was a North Korean politician born on February 16, 1941. He died on this day in 2011, at age 70 in Pyongyang, North Korea.
Died On:
Dec 17, 2011 (Age 70)
Died In:
Pyongyang, North Korea
Quotes
Below you’ll find the most popular things people have said on this day throughout history.
2009
Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.
Nelson Mandela
South African President
1920
People seem good while they are oppressed, but they only wish to become oppressors in their turn: life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather than the victim.
Bertrand Russell
British Mathematician
Special Holidays
If you’re looking for something to do today, maybe these special holidays might just help to cure your boredom!
Wright Brothers Day
On this day in 1903, the Wright Brothers became the first people to fly a mechanically propelled airplane, and the world changed forever. Celebrate these early inventors and pioneers of aviation today and learn more about the history of human flight!
National Maple Syrup Day
Whether you like to pour maple syrup on your pancakes, bacon, or just down your throat, you know it’s going to be a good time. It doesn’t really matter how you eat maple syrup today; it just matters that you do!
THe Fact Site’s
Fun Fact Of The Day
Research shows that people will pick the Ace of Spades 25% of the time when asked to choose or name a random card.
Birthday & Zodiac
If you were born on December 17, your zodiac sign is Sagittarius.
Though honesty is a critical trait in Sagittarians, sometimes this truth can be overbearing. So be careful what you ask because you will always get a truthful answer, even if the revelations leave scars.
The Blue Topaz birthstone is given to people born during the month of December. The icy-blue topaz provides special healing powers to those who wear it.
If you were born on this day, you were likely conceived on the week of March 26th in the same year.
A baby conceived on this day will likely be due around September 9th, 2025.
