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Explore the historical events that shaped our world on July 17th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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The Siege of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, begins on July 17, 1203, as the Crusaders, aboard a Venetian fleet, attack the city; resulting in the Sack of Constantinople, the fleeing of the reigning emperor, Alexios III and the restoration of Isaac II and his son Alexios IV as co-emperors on August 1, 1203.
The attack and siege of Constantinople was the result of Alexios IV promise to pay the Crusaders' debts to the Venetians and unite the Orthodox and Catholic churches. More
The Joseon Dynasty is established in Korea with the crowning of King Taejo as the first king of Joseon.
The Bank of Scotland is established by an Act of the Scottish Parliament on July 17, 1695, making it Scotland's first and oldest bank. It was created to support Scottish businesses with capital and credit when the country faced economic challenges.
Columbia University in New York City holds its first classes at Kings College on July 17, 1754 given by Samuel Johnson, for eight students in the English charity school adjoining Trinity Church.
American mechanical engineer Willis Carrier, completes the design drawings for the first modern air conditioner while working for the Buffalo Forge Company. Carrier's system involved passing air through coils filled with cold water to cool the air and remove excess moisture, a significant advancement over previous methods. It was the first system to control both temperature and humidity, making it a groundbreaking innovation. Realizing the potential that humidity control and air conditioning could have, Carrier and six engineers eventually left to form Carrier Engineering Corporation. More
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British King, George V, declares that he and all his descendants would be going by Windsor. Both in a “House of Windsor” capacity and as an official last name. Before George V picked Windsor, the royals were going by the “House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.”
The change came about because of the strong anti-German sentiment following World War I. In 1960, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip announced the creation of a brand-new last name for their untitled descendants which honored both their families: Mountbatten-Windsor. But did not change the name of the House, which is still the House of Windsor.
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The Spanish Civil War begins. A well-planned military uprising splits the country in half in just a few days, with one zone controlled by the government (known as Republicans, Loyalists, or Reds), and the other by the rebels (also referred to as Nationalists, Fascists, or Whites) led by Franco. An estimated half million people perished during the civil war which lasted until 1939. Franco ruled Spain as a dictator for almost 40 years until his death in 1975. More
The Potsdam Conference begins on July 17, 1945 as Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Harry Truman start a multi day meeting in Potsdam, Germany, to negotiate terms for the end of World War II.
During the conference, President Truman informed the Soviet leader that the United States had successfully detonated the first atomic bomb on July 16, 1945. Reportedly, Stalin, was already well-informed about the U.S. nuclear program thanks to the Soviet intelligence network. More
Disneyland, in Anaheim, California, has its Grand Opening after a year of construction and a $17 Million investment. The opening was a special 'International Press Preview' event, which was only open to the six thousand invited guests. More
TWA Flight 800 departed Kennedy International Airport in New York bound for Paris but exploded in mid-air 12 minutes after takeoff. All 212 passengers and 17 crew members on board were killed. Although it could not be determined with certainty, the likely ignition source was a short circuit. Problems with the aircraft's wiring were found, including evidence of arcing in the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) wiring that enters the tank. More
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is established by the Rome Statute Treaty to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression. It entered into force on July 1, 2002, after 60 countries ratified the treaty, officially establishing the Court as a functional body headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.
The United States does not recognize the International Criminal Court (ICC) because it is not a member and has not ratified the Rome Statute. The U.S. has a policy of not cooperating with the court, arguing that it lacks jurisdiction over American personnel and has politically motivated actions.
Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 is shot down over Ukraine by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile, fired by Moscow-backed separatists. In January of 2023, the European Court of Human Rights confirmed Russia's involvement in the downing of flight MH17. More
Darren Koch (GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2 ), via Wikimedia Commons
