All Events

Historical Events on December 17

  • American Revolution

    1777

    American Revolution: France formally recognizes the United States.

  • Simón Bolívar

    1819

    Simón Bolívar declares the independence of Gran Colombia in Angostura (now Ciudad Bolívar in Venezuela).

  • Wright Flyer

    1903

    The Wright brothers make the first controlled powered, heavier-than-air flight in the Wright Flyer at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

  • Ugyen Wangchuck

    1907

    Ugyen Wangchuck is crowned first King of Bhutan

  • Battle of the Bulge

    1944

    World War II: Battle of the Bulge: Malmedy massacre: American 285th Field Artillery Observation Battalion POWs are shot by Waffen-SS Kampfgruppe Joachim Peiper.

  • Romanian Revolution

    1989

    Romanian Revolution: Protests continue in Timișoara, Romania, with rioters breaking into the Romanian Communist Party's District Committee building and attempting to set it on fire.

  • Soham murders

    2003

    The Soham murder trial ends at the Old Bailey in London, with Ian Huntley found guilty of two counts of murder. His girlfriend, Maxine Carr, is found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

  • Jigme Singye Wangchuck

    2005

    Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicates the throne as King of Bhutan.

  • Cuba-United States relations

    2014

    The United States and Cuba re-establish diplomatic relations after severing them in 1960.

All Births

Famous Birthdays on December 17

All Deaths

Famous Deaths on December 17

16. December

18. December