Historical Events on June 17
- 1775: Even though the British win the Battle of Bunker Hill, it’s a Pyrrhic victory as they have heavy casualties after their fight with the colonists.
- 1789: The Third Estate declares itself to be the National Assembly in France.
- 1839: Kamehameha III issues the “Edict of Toleration” in the Kingdom of Hawaii. This edict gives Roman Catholics the ability to worship freely in the Hawaiian Islands.
- 1861: During the American Civil War, the Battle of Vienna in Virginia takes place.
- 1863: During the American Civil War, the Battle of Aldie takes place.
- 1876: The Battle of Rosebud starts during the American Indian Wars. General George Crook’s forces are drove back by Sioux and Cheyenne Indians led by Crazy Horse at Rosebud Creek in the Montana Territory.
- 1877: The Battle of White Bird Canyon occurs during the American Indian Wars. The United States Calvary is defeated by the Nez Perce in the Idaho Territory at White Bird Canyon.
- 1885: The Statue of Liberty makes it to New York Harbor.
- 1898: The U.S Navy Hospital Corps is started.
- 1901: The first standardized test is introduced by the U.S College Board. This test would be the forerunner to the modern SAT.
- 1933: 4 FBI agents and captured fugitive Frank Nash are killed by the gansters who were attempting to free Frank Nash in Kansas City, Missouri. This event is known as the Union Station Massacre.
- 1940: Near Saint-Nazaire, France, 3,000 British sailors are killed when the Luftwaffe attack and sink the RMS Lancastria during World War 2.
- 1940: The British Army’s 11th Hussars capture Fort Capusso in Libya from Italian forces.
- 1940: The Soviet Union begins the occupation of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
Famous Birthdays on June 17
- American actor and director, Mark Linn-Baker is born in 1954.
- American actor Daniel McVicar is born in 1958.
- American actor Thomas Haden Church is born in 1960.
- American actor Jason Patric is born in 1966.
- American actor, comedian and screenwriter, Will Forte is born in 1970.
- Slovenian tennis player Tjaša Jezernik is born in 1977.