TODAY IN HISTORY: SEPTEMBER 17

 

September 17

 

September 17 is a significant day that holds historical, cultural, and political importance across the globe. It is a date that has witnessed various events throughout history, shaping the world we live in today. From major milestones to tragic incidents, September 17 has left a lasting impact on society.

In American history, September 17 is celebrated as Constitution Day, commemorating the day in 1787 when the United States Constitution was signed in Philadelphia. This document laid the foundation for the country's legal and political system, guaranteeing individual rights and establishing the structure of the government. It remains a symbol of democracy and continues to guide the nation to this day.

Another significant event associated with September 17 is the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth in 1905, which ended the Russo-Japanese War. It was mediated by President Theodore Roosevelt and marked the first time an Asian power had defeated a European nation. This treaty not only brought peace between Russia and Japan but also reshaped the balance of power in East Asia.

September 17 also holds cultural importance. In Mexico, this day is celebrated as Independence Day, commemorating the start of the Mexican War of Independence in 1810. It marks the beginning of the rebellion against Spanish colonial rule, ultimately leading to Mexico's independence. Celebrations take place throughout the country, featuring parades, music, dance, and traditional food, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Mexico.

Tragically, September 17 is also associated with devastating events. One such incident is the 2011 Sikkim earthquake, which struck the northeastern region of India and neighboring countries. It resulted in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage, reminding us of the power and unpredictability of natural disasters.

On a more positive note, September 17 is also the birthday of many prominent individuals who have left their mark on history. Notable figures like the American author Ken Kesey, the Argentine revolutionary José Félix Uriburu, and the American director Baz Luhrmann were all born on this day. Their contributions in their respective fields have influenced and inspired countless individuals around the world.

Furthermore, September 17 has witnessed significant political events. For example, in 1991, North Korea joined the United Nations, becoming the 156th member state. This marked a significant diplomatic development as it allowed for increased international cooperation and dialogue.

In recent years, September 17 has become associated with various awareness campaigns and observances. It is recognized as World Patient Safety Day, aiming to raise awareness about patient safety issues and improve healthcare systems worldwide. Additionally, it is designated as International Equal Pay Day, highlighting the importance of closing the gender pay gap and achieving gender equality in the workplace.

In conclusion, September 17 is a day that encompasses a vast array of historical, cultural, and political events. From the signing of the United States Constitution to the end of conflicts and the birth of influential individuals, this date serves as a reminder of our shared past and the progress we have made. It is a day of both celebration and reflection, a day to honor achievements, mourn losses, and strive for a better future.

Here are some more events on this day:

1111 – Highest Galician nobility led by Pedro Fróilaz de Traba and the bishop Diego Gelmírez crown Alfonso VII as "King of Galicia".

1176 – The Battle of Myriokephalon is the last attempt by the Byzantine Empire to recover central Anatolia from the Seljuk Turks.

1382 – Louis the Great's daughter, Mary, is crowned "king" of Hungary.

1462 – Thirteen Years' War: A Polish army under Piotr Dunin decisively defeats the Teutonic Order at the Battle of Świecino.

1543 – The first Finnish-language book, the Abckiria by Mikael Agricola, is published in Stockholm.

1577 – The Treaty of Bergerac is signed between King Henry III of France and the Huguenots.

1620 – Polish–Ottoman War: The Ottoman Empire defeats the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth during the Battle of Cecora.

1631 – Sweden wins a major victory at the Battle of Breitenfeld against the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Years' War.

1658 – The Battle of Vilanova is fought between Portugal and Spain during the Portuguese Restoration War.

1683 – Antonie van Leeuwenhoek writes a letter to the Royal Society describing "animalcules", later known as protozoa.

1775 – American Revolutionary War: The invasion of Canada begins with the Siege of Fort St. Jean.

1776 – The Presidio of San Francisco is founded in New Spain.

1778 – The Treaty of Fort Pitt is signed. It is the first formal treaty between the United States and a Native American tribe.

1787 – The United States Constitution is signed in Philadelphia.

1793 – War of the Pyrenees: France defeats a Spanish force at the Battle of Peyrestortes.

1794 – Flanders Campaign: France completes its conquest of the Austrian Netherlands at the Battle of Sprimont.

1809 – Peace between Sweden and Russia in the Finnish War; the territory that will become Finland is ceded to Russia by the Treaty of Fredrikshamn.

1849 – American abolitionist Harriet Tubman escapes from slavery.

1859 – Joshua A. Norton declares himself "Norton I, Emperor of the United States."

1861 – Argentine Civil Wars: The State of Buenos Aires defeats the Argentine Confederation at the Battle of Pavón.

1862 – American Civil War: George B. McClellan halts the northward drive of Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army in the single-day Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day in American military history.

1862 – American Civil War: The Allegheny Arsenal explosion results in the single largest civilian disaster during the war.

1894 – Battle of the Yalu River, the largest naval engagement of the First Sino-Japanese War.

1900 – Philippine–American War: Filipinos under Juan Cailles defeat Americans under Colonel Benjamin F. Cheatham Jr. at Mabitac.

1901 – Second Boer War: A Boer column defeats a British force at the Battle of Blood River Poort.

1901 – Second Boer War: Boers capture a squadron of the 17th Lancers at the Battle of Elands River.

1908 – The Wright Flyer flown by Orville Wright, with Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge as passenger, crashes, killing Selfridge, who becomes the first airplane fatality.

1914 – Andrew Fisher becomes Prime Minister of Australia for the third time.

1914 – World War I: The Race to the Sea begins.

1916 – World War I: Manfred von Richthofen ("The Red Baron"), a flying ace of the German Luftstreitkräfte, wins his first aerial combat near Cambrai, France.

1920 – The National Football League is organized as the American Professional Football Association in Canton, Ohio.

1924 – The Border Protection Corps is established in the Second Polish Republic for the defence of the eastern border against armed Soviet raids and local bandits.

1928 – The Okeechobee hurricane strikes southeastern Florida, killing more than 2,500 people.

1930 – The Kurdish Ararat rebellion is suppressed by the Turks.

1932 – A speech by Laureano Gómez leads to the escalation of the Leticia Incident.

1935 – The Niagara Gorge Railroad ceases operations after a rockslide.

1939 – World War II: The Soviet invasion of Poland begins.

1939 – World War II: German submarine U-29 sinks the British aircraft carrier HMS Courageous.

1940 – World War II: Due to setbacks in the Battle of Britain and approaching autumn weather, Hitler postpones Operation Sea Lion.

1941 – World War II: A decree of the Soviet State Committee of Defense restores compulsory military training.

1941 – World War II: Soviet forces enter Tehran during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran.

1944 – World War II: Allied airborne troops parachute into the Netherlands as the "Market" half of Operation Market Garden.

1944 – World War II: Soviet troops launch the Tallinn Offensive against Germany and pro-independence Estonian units.

1944 – World War II: German forces are attacked by the Allies in the Battle of San Marino.

1948 – The Lehi (also known as the Stern gang) assassinates Count Folke Bernadotte, who was appointed by the United Nations to mediate between the Arab nations and Israel.

1948 – The Nizam of Hyderabad surrenders his sovereignty over the Hyderabad State and joins the Indian Union.

1949 – The Canadian steamship SS Noronic burns in Toronto Harbour with the loss of over 118 lives.

1961 – The world's first retractable roof stadium, the Civic Arena, opens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

1961 – Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 706 crashes during takeoff from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, killing all 37 people on board.

1965 – The Battle of Chawinda is fought between Pakistan and India.

1974 – Bangladesh, Grenada and Guinea-Bissau join the United Nations.

1976 – The Space Shuttle Enterprise is unveiled by NASA.

1978 – The Camp David Accords are signed by Israel and Egypt.

1980 – After weeks of strikes at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk, Poland, the nationwide independent trade union Solidarity is established.

1980 – Former Nicaraguan President Anastasio Somoza Debayle is killed in Asunción, Paraguay.

1983 – Vanessa Williams becomes the first black Miss America.

1991 – Estonia, North Korea, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia join the United Nations.

1991 – The first version of the Linux kernel (0.01) is released to the Internet.

1992 – An Iranian Kurdish leader and his two joiners are assassinated by political militants in Berlin.

2001 – The New York Stock Exchange reopens for trading after the September 11 attacks, the longest closure since the Great Depression.

2006 – Fourpeaked Mountain in Alaska erupts, marking the first eruption for the volcano in at least 10,000 years.

2006 – An audio tape of a private speech by Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány is leaked to the public, in which he confessed that his Hungarian Socialist Party had lied to win the 2006 election, sparking widespread protests across the country.

2011 – Occupy Wall Street movement begins in Zuccotti Park, New York City.

2013 – Grand Theft Auto V earns more than half a billion dollars on its first day of release.

2016 – Two bombs explode in Seaside Park, New Jersey, and Manhattan. Thirty-one people are injured in the Manhattan bombing.

2018 – A Russian reconnaissance aircraft carrying 15 people on board is brought down by a Syrian surface-to-air missile over the Mediterranean Sea.