Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
August 17 Monday, August 17, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 17 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
2
Holidays
1717
War 309 years ago
Austro-Turkish War of 1716-18: The month-long Siege of Belgrade ends with Prince Eugene of Savoy's Austrian troops capturing the city from the Ottoman Empire.
Prince Eugene of Savoy's Austrian forces capture Belgrade from the Ottoman Empire after a month-long siege, marking a decisive victory in the Austro-Turkish War.
History
What happened on August 17
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 986War
Byzantine-Bulgarian wars: Battle of the Gates of Trajan: The Bulgarians under the Comitopuli Samuel and Aron defeat the Byzantine forces at the Gate of Trajan, with Byzantine Emperor Basil II barely escaping.
Bulgarian forces under Samuel and Aron defeat the Byzantine army at the Gates of Trajan, with Emperor Basil II narrowly escaping capture.
- 1186European history
Georgenberg Pact: Ottokar IV, Duke of Styria and Leopold V, Duke of Austria sign a heritage agreement in which Ottokar gives his duchy to Leopold and to his son Frederick under the stipulation that Austria and Styria would henceforth remain undivided.
Ottokar IV and Leopold V sign an agreement ensuring the union of Austria and Styria by transferring Styria to Leopold and his son Frederick.
- 1386European history
Karl Topia, the ruler of Princedom of Albania, forges an alliance with the Republic of Venice, committing to participate in all wars of the Republic and receiving coastal protection against the Ottomans in return.
Karl Topia forms a military alliance with the Republic of Venice, pledging support in all its wars for coastal defense against Ottoman threats.
- 1424War
Hundred Years' War: Battle of Verneuil: An English force under John, Duke of Bedford defeats a larger French army under Jean II, Duke of Alençon, John Stewart, and Earl Archibald of Douglas.
An English force led by John, Duke of Bedford, defeats a larger French army at the Battle of Verneuil.
- 1498European history
Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI, becomes the first person in history to resign the cardinalate; later that same day, King Louis XII of France names him Duke of Valentinois.
Cesare Borgia resigns as a cardinal and is named Duke of Valentinois by King Louis XII of France.
- 1560Religion
The Catholic Church is overthrown and Protestantism is established as the national religion in Scotland.
John Knox leads the establishment of Protestantism as the official religion, overthrowing the Catholic Church in Scotland.
- 1597UK history
Islands Voyage: Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, and Sir Walter Raleigh set sail on an expedition to the Azores.
Robert Devereux and Sir Walter Raleigh set sail for the Azores on a voyage aimed at disrupting Spanish naval power.
- 1668Disaster
The magnitude 8.0 North Anatolia earthquake causes 8,000 deaths in northern Anatolia, Ottoman Empire.
A magnitude 8.0 earthquake strikes northern Anatolia in the Ottoman Empire, killing approximately 8,000 people.
- 1717War
Austro-Turkish War of 1716-18: The month-long Siege of Belgrade ends with Prince Eugene of Savoy's Austrian troops capturing the city from the Ottoman Empire.
Prince Eugene of Savoy's Austrian forces capture Belgrade from the Ottoman Empire after a month-long siege, marking a decisive victory in the Austro-Turkish War.
- 1798Religion
The Vietnamese Catholics report a Marian apparition in Quảng Trị, an event which is called Our Lady of La Vang.
A Marian apparition is reported in Quảng Trị by Vietnamese Catholics, known as Our Lady of La Vang.
- 1876Culture
Richard Wagner's Götterdämmerung, the last opera in his Ring cycle, premieres at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus.
Richard Wagner's Götterdämmerung premieres at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, completing his four-opera Ring cycle.
- 1955Disaster
Hurricane Diane made landfall near Wilmington, North Carolina, and it went on to cause major floods and kill more than 184 people.
Hurricane Diane caused severe flooding and killed over 184 people after making landfall near Wilmington.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 17
7 this date All birthdays
John Matthew Rispoli
Maltese philosopher
John Matthew Rispoli, the Maltese philosopher of great erudition esteemed by Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller, bishops, and common people alike, was born today in 1582.
Born
1582
Died
1639
Pieter van der Hoog
Dutch bacteriologist, dermatologist, and Islamicist
1888 – 1957
William Rootes
1st Baron Rootes, English businessman, founded Rootes Group
1894 – 1964
Luther Allison
American blues guitarist and singer
1939 – 1997
Guillermo Vilas
Argentinian tennis player
b. 1952 · 74
Jim Courier
American tennis player and sportscaster
b. 1970 · 56
Antwaan Randle El
American football player and journalist
b. 1979 · 47
Music
The number one songs on August 17
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 17, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport August 17, 2008
American swimmer Michael Phelps becomes the first person to win eight gold medals at one Olympic Games.
Michael Phelps wins eight gold medals at a single Olympics, setting a new record.
Read the story
🔬 Science August 17, 1970
Soviet Union Venera program: Venera 7 launched. It will become the first spacecraft to successfully transmit data from the surface of another planet (Venus).
Venera 7 is launched, destined to be the first spacecraft to send data back from the surface of Venus.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Engineer's Day (Colombia)
International
Engineer's Day is observed in several countries on various dates of the year
Independence Day, celebrates the independence proclamation of Indonesia from Japan in 1945.
International
The Independence Day of Indonesia is a national holiday in Indonesia commemorating the anniversary of Indonesia's proclamation of independence from the Netherlands on 17 August 1945