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
December 17 Thursday, December 17, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 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
6
Holidays
1354
European history 672 years ago
Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut and Holy Roman Empress and her son William I, Duke of Bavaria, sign a peace treaty ending the Hook and Cod wars.
Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut, and her son William I, Duke of Bavaria, signed a peace treaty ending the Hook and Cod Wars.
History
What happened on December 17
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -497World history
The first Saturnalia festival is celebrated in ancient Rome.
Ancient Romans celebrate the first Saturnalia festival, a week-long winter solstice holiday honoring Saturn.
- 546War
Siege of Rome: The Ostrogoths under king Totila plunder the city, by bribing the Eastern Roman garrison.
The Ostrogoth king Totila plunders Rome by bribing the Eastern Roman garrison, seizing control of the city.
- 920European history
Romanos I Lekapenos is crowned co-emperor of the underage Constantine VII.
Romanos I Lekapenos is crowned co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire alongside the underage Constantine VII, consolidating his power as regent.
- 942UK history
Assassination of William I of Normandy.
William I of Normandy is killed in the Battle of Germiny, ending his reign after a decade.
- 1297World history
King Kyawswa of Pagan is overthrown by the three Myinsaing brothers, marking the de facto end of the Pagan Kingdom.
The three Myinsaing brothers overthrow King Kyawswa, ending the Pagan Kingdom's rule.
- 1354European history
Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut and Holy Roman Empress and her son William I, Duke of Bavaria, sign a peace treaty ending the Hook and Cod wars.
Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut, and her son William I, Duke of Bavaria, signed a peace treaty ending the Hook and Cod Wars.
- 1398War
Sultan Nasir-u Din Mehmud's armies in Delhi are defeated by Timur.
Timur defeats Sultan Nasir-u Din Mehmud's armies in Delhi, marking the end of the Sultanate's control over the region.
- 1583War
Cologne War: Forces under Ernest of Bavaria defeat troops under Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg at the Siege of Godesberg.
Ernest of Bavaria's forces defeat Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg's troops at the Siege of Godesberg.
- 1586World history
Go-Yōzei becomes Emperor of Japan.
Go-Yōzei ascends to the Japanese throne at age fifteen, beginning a reign that would last until 1611 during the late Azuchi-Momoyama and early Edo periods.
- 1665Science
The first account of a blood transfusion is published, in the form of a letter from physician Richard Lower to chemist Robert Boyle, in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society
Richard Lower publishes the first account of a blood transfusion in a letter to Robert Boyle in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
- 1777US history
American Revolution: France formally recognizes the United States.
France formally recognizes the United States as an independent nation.
- 1807War
Napoleonic Wars: France issues the Milan Decree, which confirms the Continental System.
France issues the Milan Decree, confirming the Continental System and intensifying economic warfare against Britain.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 17
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 75
Ken Hitchcock
Canadian ice hockey player and coach
Ken Hitchcock, the Canadian ice hockey coach who led five NHL teams including the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues over a distinguished career, turns 74 today.
Born
1951
Turns 75
today
Roger L'Estrange
English pamphleteer and author
1616 – 1704
John Kennedy Toole
American novelist
1937 – 1969
Chuck Liddell
American mixed martial artist and kick-boxer
b. 1969 · 57
Susanthika Jayasinghe
Sri Lankan sprinter
b. 1975 · 51
Suzy Batkovic
Australian basketball player
b. 1980 · 46
Quinton de Kock
South African cricketer
b. 1992 · 34
Music
The number one songs on December 17
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 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 December 17, 1933
The first NFL Championship Game is played at Wrigley Field in Chicago between the New York Giants and Chicago Bears. The Bears win 23-21.
The Chicago Bears defeat the New York Giants 23-21 in the first NFL Championship Game at Wrigley Field.
Read the story
🔬 Science December 17, 1938
Otto Hahn discovers the nuclear fission of the heavy element uranium, the scientific and technological basis of nuclear energy.
Otto Hahn discovers nuclear fission in uranium, laying the foundation for nuclear energy technology.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Accession Day (Bahrain)
International
The culture of Bahrain is part of the historical region of Eastern Arabia
International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
International
The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is observed annually on 17 December by sex workers, their clientele, friends, families and allies
Kurdish Flag Day (Global Kurdish population)
International
The flag of Kurdistan also called Ala Rengin is the flag of Kurds and was created by the Society for the Rise of Kurdistan in 1920
National Day (Bhutan)
International
Public holidays in Bhutan consist of both national holidays and local festivals or tshechus
Pan American Aviation Day (United States)
International
Pan American Aviation Day is a United States Federal Observance Day observed December 17
Wright Brothers Day, a United States federal observance by Presidential proclamation
International
Wright Brothers Day is a United States national observation
❝
You can't be common because the common man goes nowhere; you have to be uncommon.
— Ken Hitchcock · born December 17, 1951