August 17 holidays in 2025

Holiday name Holiday location Holiday type
Flag Day Bolivia Observance
Slovenians in Prekmurje Incorporated into the Mother Nation Day Slovenia Observance
Independence Day Gabon Public Holiday
National Nonprofit Day - Unofficial (Appreciation & Honor, Awareness & Cause)
National I LOVE My Feet Day! - Unofficial (Health & Body)
National Thrift Shop Day - Unofficial (Lifestyle)
Black Cat Appreciation Day - Unofficial (Animals)
Ride Sober Or Get Pulled Over - Unofficial (Awareness & Cause)

Historical Events on August 17

  • 1862: Major General J. E. B. Stuart is given command of all the cavalry of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War on this day.
  • 1862: During the American Indian Wars, the Dakota War of 1862 begins on this day in Minnesota. It begins when Lakota warrior strike out at white settlements along the Minnesota River.
  • 1863: Union ships bombard Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina during the American Civil War.
  • 1908: The first animated cartoon, Fantasmagorie by Émile Cohl, is given a showing in Paris, France.
  • 1914: During the Battle of Stallupönen during WWI, General Hermann von François leads German forces against a Russian force commanded by Paul von Rennenkampf.
  • 1915: When a 13-year old girl is murdered in Marietta, Georgia, a Jewish-American named Leo Frank is blamed for it and lynched by a mob.
  • 1942: During World War II, United States Marines attack the Pacific island that is held by Japanese forces called Makin.
  • 1943: 60 American bombers are lost by the U.S 8th Air Force during their raid on the Schweinfurt–Regensburg mission.
  • 1943: The Royal Air Force undertakes Operation Hydra – the first air raid against Germany’s V-rocket program.
  • 1943: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and William Lyon Mackenzie King attend the First Québec Conference during World War II.
  • 1970: Venera 7 is launched by the Soviet Union from Baikonur Cosmodrome. This spacecraft will eventually become the first craft to transmit from another planet when it transmits from Venus.
  • 1977: The first surface ship to reach the North Pole is the Soviet vessel Arktika.
  • 1998: United States President Bill Clinton admits that he had an improper sexual relationship with then White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Famous Birthdays on August 17

  • American actress and screenwriter Mae West is born in 1893.
  • American general and engineer Leslie Groves is born in 1896.
  • American journalist and politician Mary Cain is born in 1904.
  • American actor and director Robert De Niro is born in 1943.
  • French Pianist and conductor Jean-Bernard Pommier is born in 1944.
  • American author, poet and teacher Rachel Pollak is born in 1945.
  • American screenwriter, director and producer Martha Coolidge is born in 1946.

Ash Wednesday

Easter Monday

Tax Day

Arbor Day

Pentecost

Corpus Christi

Eid al-Adha