February 17th celebrates World Human Spirit Day and Random Act of Kindness Day.
We are now on day 48 out of 365, and have 317 days left of the year.
Today is your lucky day as we have collected some top-notch historical events that all happened on this day.
Did you know that on this day in 1936, the world’s first superhero appeared in a comic strip? “The Phantom” is a costumed crime-fighter who operates from the fictional country of Bangalla.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about February 17th in history!
What Events Happened On February 17 In History?
2020 $10 billion was pledged to help fight climate change by Amazon’s CEO, Jeff Bezos.
2017 A potential new continent was discovered in the South Pacific.
Zealandia is 94% underwater but is close to being recognized as its own continent that would include New Zealand.
2014 US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to college students in Jakarta, Indonesia, about the looming threat of Climate Change.
He talked of the urgency needed to address the issue and the dangers of interest groups who willfully deny the dangers it poses.
2012 Thieves stole up to 68 Olympic artifacts from a museum in Greece.
2010 Casey Neistat uploaded his first-ever YouTube video.
However, he didn't make his first vlog until March 25, 2013.
Read More2008 The Republic of Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia.
Serbia disputed the separation of Kosovo and has repeatedly sought out international support to invalidate Kosovo's independence.
1998 The Pioneer 10 spacecraft passed NASA’s Voyager 1 to become the farthest artificial object in space.
Read More1980 Polish mountaineers Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy became the first to ascend Mt. Everest in winter.
The expedition consisted of twenty people, including sherpas, who had no idea whether the attempt was even possible during winter. As a result, they had to completely make up the route as they went along.
1974 A stampede at a soccer match killed forty-nine people in Cairo, Egypt.
The incident happened after the venue for the match was switched to a smaller stadium. Eighty thousand fans rushed in to get their seats at a stadium that could only accommodate 40,000 fans. The stadium's supports crumbled and 49 died, and more were injured.
1969 Friends Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan recorded “Girl From The North” at CBS Studios.
1936 The Phantom, the world’s first superhero, appeared in the self-titled comic strip by Lee Falk.
1913 Oregon became the first US state to pass a minimum wage law.
It limited work to 50 hours per week, 9-hour days, and required at least one 45-minute break. The minimum wage was fixed to $8.64 per week.
1876 Julius Wolff supplied the first canned sardines from Maine, USA.
1753 Sweden changed their calendar to the Gregorian calendar, making the next day March 1 instead of February 18.
Famous Quotes Said On February 17
Below you’ll find the most popular quotes people have said on February 17th throughout history.
2009
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”
– Maya Angelou
1931
“Why does this magnificent applied science which saves work and makes life easier bring us so little happiness? The simple answer runs: Because we have not yet learned to make sensible use of it.”
– Albert Einstein
1775
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
– Benjamin Franklin
Famous People Born On February 17
Are you celebrating your birthday today? If so, did you know that you share the same birthday as Ed Sheeran? See what other famous people were born on this day.
1963 Michael Jordan
American Basketball Player
- Age:
- 60 years old
- Born In:
- New York, USA
1991 Ed Sheeran
English Singer
- Age:
- 32 years old
- Born In:
- England, UK
1981 Paris Hilton
American Media Personality
- Age:
- 42 years old
- Born In:
- New York, USA
1972 Billie Joe Armstrong
American Singer
- Age:
- 51 years old
- Born In:
- California, USA
Special Holidays On February 17
Looking for a reason to celebrate? Well, here’s a few! These unique holidays are sure to bring some enjoyment to your day.
World Human Spirit Day
We as humans often go about our lives thinking that all there is - is what we can see around us. Today is World Human Spirit Day and is a day to search deeply within ourselves, explore the unknown, and know we don’t need to have all the answers.
National Random Act of Kindness Day
They say there’s no greater gift than giving, and that’s what Random Act of Kindness Day is all about! So try and find at least one moment today to be kind to a stranger, maybe let their car marge in front of you, donate to a homeless shelter, or help an old lady cross the road!
THe Fact Site's
Fun Fact Of The Day
There is a town in Nebraska called Monowi with a population of one. The only resident is a woman who is the Mayor, Bartender, and Librarian.
February 17 Birthday Facts, Zodiac & Birthstone
Everyone who was born on this day shares the same zodiac sign, Aquarius.
Aquarians like to get to the point. They are very blunt and straightforward and will not tolerate any messing around.
For those of you born in February, you have the Amethyst birthstone. Amethyst is a symbol of courage and strong relationships. There was a time in history when only royalty could wear the gem.
If you were lucky enough to be born on Feb 17, you were likely conceived around May 27, the year before.
A baby that is conceived on February 17, 2023, will likely be due around November 10, 2023.
