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
February 17 Tuesday, February 17, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 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
1801
Politics 225 years ago
United States presidential election: A tie in the Electoral College between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr is resolved when Jefferson is elected President of the United States and Burr Vice President by the United States House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives breaks an Electoral College tie by electing Thomas Jefferson president and Aaron Burr vice president.
History
What happened on February 17
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1370European history
Northern Crusades: Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Teutonic Knights meet in the Battle of Rudau.
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Teutonic Knights clash in the Battle of Rudau.
- 1411World history
Following the successful campaigns during the Ottoman Interregnum, Musa Çelebi, one of the sons of Bayezid I, becomes Sultan of the Ottoman Empire with the support of Mircea I of Wallachia.
Musa Çelebi becomes Sultan of the Ottoman Empire with the support of Mircea I of Wallachia.
- 1500European history
Duke Frederick of Schleswig-Holstein and King John of Denmark attempt to subdue the peasantry of Dithmarschen, Denmark, in the Battle of Hemmingstedt.
Duke Frederick and King John lead an unsuccessful military campaign against the rebellious peasants of Dithmarschen.
- 1621US history
Myles Standish is appointed as first military commander of the English Plymouth Colony in North America.
Myles Standish is named the first military commander of the Plymouth Colony.
- 1676World history
Sixteen men of Pascual de Iriate's expedition are lost at Evangelistas Islets at the western end of the Strait of Magellan.
Sixteen members of Pascual de Iriarte's expedition perish at the Evangelistas Islets in the Strait of Magellan.
- 1739War
The Battle of Vasai commences as the Marathas move to invade Portuguese-occupied territory.
The Marathas begin their campaign to capture Portuguese-held Vasai, marking the start of a significant battle in Indian history.
- 1753World history
In Sweden, February 17 is followed by March 1 as the country moves from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar.
Sweden transitions directly from February 17 to March 1, skipping an entire month during its switch to the Gregorian calendar.
- 1801Politics
United States presidential election: A tie in the Electoral College between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr is resolved when Jefferson is elected President of the United States and Burr Vice President by the United States House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives breaks an Electoral College tie by electing Thomas Jefferson president and Aaron Burr vice president.
- 1865War
American Civil War: Columbia, South Carolina, is burned as Confederate forces flee from advancing Union forces.
Confederate forces set fire to Columbia, South Carolina, as they retreated from advancing Union troops.
- 1991Disaster
Ryan International Airlines Flight 590 crashes during takeoff from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, killing both pilots, the aircraft's only occupants.
Ryan International Airlines Flight 590 crashes during takeoff from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, killing both pilots, the aircraft's only occupants.
- 1996Science
NASA's Discovery Program begins as the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft lifts off on the first mission ever to orbit and land on an asteroid, 433 Eros.
NASA launches the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft, beginning the Discovery program with a mission to orbit and land on asteroid 433 Eros.
- 2016Disaster
Military vehicles explode outside a Turkish Armed Forces barracks in Ankara, Turkey, killing at least 29 people and injuring 61 others.
A car bomb explodes near a Turkish Armed Forces barracks in Ankara, killing at least 29 people and injuring 61 others.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 17
7 this date All birthdays
Ronald Fisher
English-Australian statistician, biologist, and geneticist
Sir Ronald Aylmer Fisher, the British statistician and geneticist who created foundations for modern statistical science and integrated Mendelian genetics with Darwinian evolution, was born today in 1890.
Born
1890
Died
1962
Al-Juwayni
Persian scholar and imam
1028 – 1085
Charles III
duke of Bourbon
1490 – 1527
Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
Spanish author, poet, and playwright
1836 – 1870
Hans Morgenthau
German-American political scientist, philosopher, and academic
1904 – 1980
Jim Brown
American football player and actor
1936 – 2023
Fred Frith
English guitarist and songwriter
b. 1949 · 77
Music
The number one songs on February 17
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on February 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 February 17, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 17, 1965
Project Ranger: The Ranger 8 probe launches on its mission to photograph the Mare Tranquillitatis region of the Moon in preparation for the crewed Apollo missions. Mare Tranquillitatis or the "Sea of Tranquility" would become the site chosen for the Apollo 11 lunar landing.
The Ranger 8 probe launches to photograph the Moon's Mare Tranquillitatis, aiding in the selection of the future Apollo 11 landing site.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Independence Day, celebrates the independence declaration of Kosovo in 2008, still partially recognized.
International
Kosovo Independence Day is a national independence day celebrated in Kosovo every year on 17 February, marking the anniversary of Kosovo's declaration of independence on 17 February 2008
Revolution Day (Libya)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Libya
❝
To consult the statistician after an experiment is finished is often merely to ask him to conduct a post mortem examination. He can perhaps say what the experiment died of.
— Ronald Fisher · born February 17, 1890