2024February

February 17: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Pinterest
Facts & Historic Events That Happened on February 17

Share:

M
T
W
T
F
S
S

Share

February 17th celebrates World Human Spirit Day and Random Act of Kindness Day.

We are now on day 48 out of 366, and have 318 days remaining in 2024.

Today is your lucky day as we have collected some top-notch historical events that all happened on this day.

Did you know that on this day in 1936, the world’s first superhero appeared in a comic strip? “The Phantom” is a costumed crime-fighter who operates from the fictional country of Bangalla.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about February 17th in history!

Events

What memorable events happened on February 17 in history? Keep reading to find out!

2020

$10 billion was pledged to help fight climate change by Amazon’s CEO, Jeff Bezos.

2017

A potential new continent was discovered in the South Pacific.

OTD in 2017: A potential new continent was discovered in the South Pacific.

Zealandia is 94% underwater but is close to being recognized as its own continent that would include New Zealand.

2014

US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to college students in Jakarta, Indonesia, about the looming threat of Climate Change.

He talked of the urgency needed to address the issue and the dangers of interest groups who willfully deny the dangers it poses.

2012

Thieves stole up to 68 Olympic artifacts from a museum in Greece.

2010

Casey Neistat uploaded his first-ever YouTube video.

However, he didn’t make his first vlog until March 25, 2013.

2008

The Republic of Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia.

OTD in 2008: The Republic of Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia.

Serbia disputed the separation of Kosovo and has repeatedly sought out international support to invalidate Kosovo’s independence.

1998

The Pioneer 10 spacecraft passed NASA’s Voyager 1 to become the farthest artificial object in space.

OTD in 1998: The Pioneer 10 spacecraft passed NASA's Voyager 1 to become the farthest artificial object in space.

1980

Polish mountaineers Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy became the first to ascend Mt. Everest in winter.

The expedition consisted of twenty people, including sherpas, who had no idea whether the attempt was even possible during winter. As a result, they had to completely make up the route as they went along.

1974

A stampede at a soccer match killed forty-nine people in Cairo, Egypt.

The incident happened after the venue for the match was switched to a smaller stadium. Eighty thousand fans rushed in to get their seats at a stadium that could only accommodate 40,000 fans. The stadium’s supports crumbled and 49 died, and more were injured.

1969

Friends Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan recorded “Girl From The North” at CBS Studios.

1936

The Phantom, the world’s first superhero, appeared in the self-titled comic strip by Lee Falk.

1913

Oregon became the first US state to pass a minimum wage law.

OTD in 1913: Oregon became the first US state to pass a minimum wage law.

It limited work to 50 hours per week, 9-hour days, and required at least one 45-minute break. The minimum wage was fixed to $8.64 per week.

1876

Julius Wolff supplied the first canned sardines from Maine, USA.

1753

Sweden changed their calendar to the Gregorian calendar, making the next day March 1 instead of February 18.

Famous Births

Are you celebrating your birthday today? If so, did you know that you share the same birthday as Ed Sheeran? See what other famous people were born on this day.

1963

Michael Jordan

American

Basketball Player

Michael Jordan

Age:

61 years old

Born In:

New York, USA

1991

Ed Sheeran

English

Singer

Ed Sheeran

Age:

33 years old

Born In:

England, UK

1981

Paris Hilton

American

Media Personality

Paris Hilton

Age:

43 years old

Born In:

New York, USA

1972

Billie Joe Armstrong

American

Singer

Billie Joe Armstrong

Age:

52 years old

Born In:

California, USA

Quotes

Below you’ll find the most popular quotes people have said on February 17th throughout history.

2009

We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou

American Memoirist

1931

Why does this magnificent applied science which saves work and makes life easier bring us so little happiness? The simple answer runs: Because we have not yet learned to make sensible use of it.

1775

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

American Polymath

Special Holidays

Looking for a reason to celebrate? Well, here’s a few! These unique holidays are sure to bring some enjoyment to your day.

February 17: World Human Spirit Day
International

World Human Spirit Day

We as humans often go about our lives thinking that all there is – is what we can see around us. Today is World Human Spirit Day and is a day to search deeply within ourselves, explore the unknown, and know we don’t need to have all the answers.

February 17: National Random Act of Kindness Day
United States

National Random Act of Kindness Day

They say there’s no greater gift than giving, and that’s what Random Act of Kindness Day is all about! So try and find at least one moment today to be kind to a stranger, maybe let their car marge in front of you, donate to a homeless shelter, or help an old lady cross the road!

THe Fact Site’s

Fun Fact Of The Day

There is a town in Nebraska called Monowi with a population of one. The only resident is a woman who is the Mayor, Bartender, and Librarian.

Birthday & Zodiac

Everyone who was born on this day shares the same zodiac sign, Aquarius.

Aquarians like to get to the point. They are very blunt and straightforward and will not tolerate any messing around.

For those of you born in February, you have the Amethyst birthstone. Amethyst is a symbol of courage and strong relationships. There was a time in history when only royalty could wear the gem.

If you were lucky enough to be born on Feb 17, you were likely conceived around May 27, the year before.

A baby that is conceived on February 17, 2024, will likely be due around November 10, 2024.

M
T
W
T
F
S
S

Fact Check

We have a thorough fact-checking process and a dedicated team verifying our content for accuracy. However, occasionally, we may get things wrong, or information becomes outdated. If you believe something to be incorrect, please leave us a message below.

Leave a Comment