24 fun facts for September, 17
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
September 17th is a historically significant day that includes the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, Samuel Johnson's birthday, and the pivotal Battle of Zenta. Other notable events include Billie Jean King's victory over Bobby Riggs and the end of the Berlin Airlift.
24 Fun facts
- Constitution Day, U.S.A.: On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. This day is celebrated as Constitution Day in America to commemorate the signing of this defining document.
- Battle of Zenta: On September 17, 1697, the Battle of Zenta was fought between the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire. The Habsburgs defeated the Ottomans, marking the end of the Ottoman expansion and giving rise to a long period of Austrian ascendancy in Europe.
- Samuel Johnson's birthday: Samuel Johnson, the renowned English lexicographer, author, and critic, was born on September 17, 1709. He is best known for creating "A Dictionary of the English Language" and is considered a pioneer in the field of language studies.
- Hank Williams makes his Grand Ole Opry debut: Country music legend Hank Williams made his first appearance at the famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 17, 1949. His performance of "Lovesick Blues" earned him six encores and solidified his status as a major player in the world of country music.
- Ockhi Cyclone hit Srilanka: On September 17, 2017, the Ockhi Cyclone made landfall in Sri Lanka, causing widespread flooding and landslides, leading to more than 50 deaths.
- Émile Zola's J'accuse letter: French author Émile Zola published his famous open letter "J'accuse" on September 17, 1898. The letter addressed the contemporary French President Félix Faure and accused the government of anti-Semitism and wrongfully imprisoning Jewish army officer Captain Alfred Dreyfus on espionage charges.
- Day of Melilla, Spain: September 17 is the Day of Melilla in Spain, celebrating the incorporation of the autonomous city of Melilla into the Crown of Spain on this day in 1497. The city is located on the north coast of Africa and shares a border with Morocco.
- 1908 Wright Flyer crash: On September 17, 1908, the Wright Flyer, an early American aircraft, crashed during a test flight. This tragedy led to the death of Thomas Selfridge, who became the first-ever aviation-related fatality.
- Vanuatu becomes member of the United Nations: The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu joined the United Nations on September 17, 1981, after gaining its independence from France and the United Kingdom.
- Camp David Accords signing: The Camp David Accords were signed on September 17, 1978, between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. The accords led to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, and both leaders later received the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.
- New York Stock Exchange bombing: On September 17, 1920, a bombing occurred at the New York Stock Exchange, killing 38 people and injuring 143. The attack was an unsolved act of domestic terrorism that was triggered by political turmoil.
- Spiro Agnew's resignation as Vice President: On September 17, 1973, Spiro T. Agnew announced his resignation as Vice President of the United States, amid a scandal involving alleged tax evasion and bribery.
- The Beatles drug-raid scandal: On September 17, 1969, The Beatles' home was raided by police, marking the first of several high-profile drug-related scandals to involve members of the group. Drugs were discovered, but charges were later dropped.
- Volkswagen Beetle production ends: On September 17, 1967, the last Volkswagen Beetle was produced in Germany, marking the end of an iconic 30-year automotive era. The Beetle remains one of the most recognizable and popular cars ever built.
- Queen Elizabeth I's birthday: September 17, 1533, marks the birth of Queen Elizabeth I of England, daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. She reigned over England for 45 years and was known as the "Virgin Queen" due to her choice to remain unmarried.
- Billie Jean King defeats Bobby Riggs: On September 17, 1973, tennis star Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the widely publicized "Battle of the Sexes" match. The historic event drew attention to the issue of gender equality in sports.
- Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits: On September 17, 1936, the Montreux Convention was signed, regulating the transit and navigation of warships in the Turkish Straits, including the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. This international agreement is still in force today.
- The greatest rainfall in one minute: In 1956, Unionville, Maryland, experienced the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in one minute, receiving an astonishing 1.23 inches of rain on September 17.
- Alfred E. Ottoboni patents the radial tire: On September 17, 1963, American inventor Alfred E. Ottoboni was granted U.S. Patent No. 3,105,827 for the radial tire, revolutionizing the automotive industry.
- Australian National Citizenship Day: Australia celebrates National Citizenship Day on September 17 each year, which promotes the values and meaning of Australian citizenship and honors those who have chosen to become Australian citizens.
- The first flight across the Pacific: On September 17, 1928, James D. Dole's "Aloha" made the first flight from California to Hawaii, marking the first successful fixed-wing aircraft flight across the Pacific Ocean.
- Campi Flegrei eruption: The eruption of Campi Flegrei in Italy began on September 17, 1538, and continued through two violent paroxysmal phases. The volcanic event created a new mountain, Monte Nuovo, on the western outskirts of Naples.
- Atatürk's arrival in Sivas: On September 17, 1919, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey, arrived in Sivas, an important stop on his journey to create a new, independent Turkey.
- Berlin Airlift ends: On September 17, 1949, the Berlin Airlift came to an end after 15 months of operation. The airlift, a massive humanitarian effort, had been launched in response to the Soviet Union's blockade of West Berlin, providing vital supplies to the city's isolated population.