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
March 17 Tuesday, March 17, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 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
4
Holidays
1776
War 250 years ago
American Revolutionary War: The British Army evacuates Boston, ending the Siege of Boston, after George Washington and Henry Knox place artillery in positions overlooking the city.
George Washington and Henry Knox position artillery overlooking Boston, prompting the British Army to evacuate and ending the eleven-month siege.
History
What happened on March 17
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -45War
In his last victory, Julius Caesar defeats the Pompeian forces of Titus Labienus and Pompey the Younger in the Battle of Munda.
Julius Caesar secures his final victory against Pompey's forces at the Battle of Munda.
- 180World history
Commodus becomes sole emperor of the Roman Empire at the age of eighteen, following the death of his father, Marcus Aurelius.
Commodus becomes sole emperor of Rome at eighteen after his father Marcus Aurelius dies.
- 455World history
Petronius Maximus becomes, with support of the Roman Senate, emperor of the Western Roman Empire; he forces Licinia Eudoxia, the widow of his predecessor, Valentinian III, to marry him.
Petronius Maximus becomes emperor and marries Licinia Eudoxia, the widow of his predecessor Valentinian III.
- 1337UK history
Edward the Black Prince is made Duke of Cornwall, the first duchy in England.
Edward, Prince of Wales, becomes Duke of Cornwall, establishing the first English duchy, a title still held by the heir apparent today.
- 1400War
Turko-Mongol emperor Timur sacks Damascus.
Timur's forces capture and plunder Damascus, marking a significant victory in his conquests.
- 1776War
American Revolutionary War: The British Army evacuates Boston, ending the Siege of Boston, after George Washington and Henry Knox place artillery in positions overlooking the city.
George Washington and Henry Knox position artillery overlooking Boston, prompting the British Army to evacuate and ending the eleven-month siege.
- 1861World history
The Kingdom of Italy is proclaimed.
Victor Emmanuel II is declared King of Italy, marking the unification of most of the Italian states into a single kingdom.
- 1862Technology
The first railway line of Finland between cities of Helsinki and Hämeenlinna, called Päärata, is officially opened.
Finland's first railway line, the Päärata, opens between Helsinki and Hämeenlinna, launching the nation's rail network.
- 1942World history
Holocaust: The first Jews from the Lvov Ghetto are gassed at the Belzec death camp in what is today eastern Poland.
The first Jews from the Lvov Ghetto are gassed at the Belzec death camp.
- 1988Disaster
A Colombian Boeing 727 jetliner, Avianca Flight 410, crashes into a mountainside near the Venezuelan border killing 143.
A Colombian Boeing 727, Avianca Flight 410, crashes into a mountainside near the Venezuelan border, killing all 143 on board.
- 2000Crime
Five hundred and thirty members of the Ugandan cult Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God die in a fire, considered to be a mass murder or suicide orchestrated by leaders of the cult. Elsewhere another 248 members are later found dead.
Members of the Ugandan cult Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments die in a fire, suspected to be mass murder or suicide by leaders.
- 2004War
Unrest in Kosovo: More than 22 are killed and 200 wounded. Thirty-five Serbian Orthodox shrines in Kosovo and two mosques in Serbia are destroyed.
Violent unrest in Kosovo leaves more than 22 dead and 200 injured; over 35 Serbian Orthodox sites and two Serbian mosques are damaged.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 17
7 this date All birthdays
Puneeth Rajkumar
Indian actor, singer, and producer
Puneeth Rajkumar, affectionately known as Appu, was born today in 1975, the youngest son of legendary actor Dr. Rajkumar and one of Kannada cinema's most popular stars.
Born
1975
Died
2021
Thomas Boston
Scottish philosopher and theologian
1676 – 1732
William Gibson
American-Canadian author and screenwriter
b. 1948 · 78
Scott Gorham
American singer-songwriter and guitarist
b. 1951 · 75
Gene Ween
American singer-songwriter and guitarist
b. 1970 · 56
Claressa Shields
American boxer and mixed martial artist
b. 1995 · 31
Daniel Sprong
Dutch ice hockey player
b. 1997 · 29
Music
The number one songs on March 17
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on March 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 March 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 March 17, 1958
The United States launches the first solar-powered satellite, which is also the first satellite to achieve a long-term orbit.
The United States launches the first solar-powered satellite, capable of sustained long-term orbit.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
Birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangladesh)
International
The birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, commonly known as Bangabandhu's birthday, is a former public holiday in Bangladesh which is observed annually on 17 March to celebrate the birth of Sheikh Mujibu
Children's Day (Bangladesh)
International
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country
Evacuation Day (Suffolk County, Massachusetts)
International
Evacuation Day is a holiday observed on March 17 in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and also by the public schools in Somerville, Massachusetts
Saint Patrick's Day, a public holiday in Ireland, Montserrat and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, widely celebrated in the English-speaking world and to a lesser degree in other parts of the world.
International
Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a religious and cultural holiday held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland