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
July 17 Friday, July 17, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on July 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
8
Holidays
1867
Science 159 years ago
Harvard School of Dental Medicine is established in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the first dental school in the U.S. that is affiliated with a university.
The Harvard School of Dental Medicine becomes the first university-affiliated dental school in the United States.
History
What happened on July 17
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 180World history
Twelve inhabitants of Scillium (near Kasserine, modern-day Tunisia) in North Africa are executed for being Christians. This is the earliest record of Christianity in that part of the world.
Twelve Christians in Scillium are executed, marking the region's first known Christian martyrdoms.
- 1048Religion
Damasus II is elected pope, and dies 23 days later.
Damasus II is elected pope but passes away just 23 days later.
- 1203European history
The Fourth Crusade assaults Constantinople. The Byzantine emperor Alexios III Angelos flees from his capital into exile.
The Fourth Crusade attacks Constantinople, forcing Emperor Alexios III Angelos to flee into exile.
- 1429European history
Hundred Years' War: Charles VII of France is crowned the King of France in the Reims Cathedral after a successful campaign by Joan of Arc.
Charles VII is crowned King of France in Reims Cathedral, following Joan of Arc's victorious campaign.
- 1453War
Battle of Castillon: The last battle of the Hundred Years' War, the French under Jean Bureau defeat the English under the Earl of Shrewsbury, who is killed in the battle in Gascony.
The French, led by Jean Bureau, defeat the English forces commanded by the Earl of Shrewsbury in Gascony; the earl is killed in what marks the final battle of the Hundred Years' War.
- 1771Canadian history
Bloody Falls massacre: Chipewyan chief Matonabbee, traveling as the guide to Samuel Hearne on his Arctic overland journey, massacres a group of unsuspecting Inuit.
Matonabbee, guiding Samuel Hearne through the Arctic, leads a massacre against a group of unsuspecting Inuit.
- 1794Religion
The 16 Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne are executed ten days prior to the end of the French Revolution's Reign of Terror.
The 16 Carmelite Martyrs of Compiègne are executed, marking one of the last acts of the Reign of Terror.
- 1821US history
The Kingdom of Spain cedes the territory of Florida to the United States.
Spain cedes control of Florida to the United States in a treaty agreement.
- 1867Science
Harvard School of Dental Medicine is established in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the first dental school in the U.S. that is affiliated with a university.
The Harvard School of Dental Medicine becomes the first university-affiliated dental school in the United States.
- 1936War
Spanish Civil War: An Armed Forces rebellion against the recently elected leftist Popular Front government of Spain starts the civil war.
An armed forces rebellion begins against Spain's recently elected leftist government, marking the start of the Spanish Civil War.
- 1997Disaster
After takeoff from Husein Sastranegara International Airport, Sempati Air Flight 304 crashes into a residential neighborhood in Bandung, killing 28 people.
Sempati Air Flight 304 crashes into a residential neighborhood in Bandung, Indonesia, shortly after takeoff, killing all 28 people aboard.
- 2007Disaster
TAM Airlines Flight 3054, an Airbus A320, crashes into a warehouse after landing too fast and missing the end of the São Paulo-Congonhas Airport runway, killing 199 people.
TAM Airlines Flight 3054 crashes into a warehouse after overshooting the runway at São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, killing all 187 aboard and 12 on the ground.
Born today
Famous birthdays on July 17
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 85
Bob Taylor
English cricketer
Robert William Taylor MBE, former England and Derbyshire wicket-keeper who took 2,069 dismissals across his career including 1,473 catches in first-class cricket, turns 84 today.
Born
1941
Turns 85
today
Paul Delaroche
French painter and academic
1797 – 1856
Lyonel Feininger
German-American painter and illustrator
1871 – 1956
Toni Stone
American baseball player
1921 – 1996
Ted Sampley
American POW/MIA activist
1946 – 2009
Ron Asheton
American guitarist and songwriter
1948 – 2009
Jason Clarke
Australian actor
b. 1969 · 57
Music
The number one songs on July 17
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on July 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 July 17, 1994
Brazil win their fourth World Cup title, defeating Italy 3-2 on penalties.
Brazil wins its fourth World Cup title by defeating Italy 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
Read the story
🔬 Science July 17, 1850
Vega becomes the first star (other than the Sun) to be photographed.
Vega becomes the first star beyond the Sun to be captured on film.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Constitution Day (South Korea)
International
Constitution Day or Jeheonjeol (Korean: 제헌절) in South Korea is observed on 17 July, the day that the first South Korean constitution was proclaimed in 1948
Gion Matsuri (Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto)
International
The Gion Festival is one of the largest and most famous festivals in Japan, taking place annually during the month of July in Kyoto
Independence Day (Slovakia)
International
Remembrance Days in Slovakia are working days
International Firgun Day (International)
International
Firgun is an informal modern Hebrew term and concept in Israeli culture, which compliments someone or describes genuine, unselfish delight or pride in the accomplishment of another person
King's Birthday (Lesotho)
International
This is a list of holidays in Lesotho
U Tirot Sing Day (Meghalaya, India)
International
Tirot Singh, also known as U Tirot Sing Syiem, was one of the chiefs of the Khasi people in the early 19th century