What Happened on August 17?

August 17 is Black Cat Appreciation Day — celebrating famously lucky (and wrongly feared) cats — on the same date Indonesia proclaimed independence in 1945, Double Eagle II finished the first Atlantic balloon crossing in 1978, and Woodstock wrapped up in 1969.

• 1585 — Ralph Lane's colonists land to found Roanoke Colony

  On August 17, 1585, English colonists under Ralph Lane landed on Roanoke Island — an early attempt to plant a permanent English settlement in North America. Read the full story →

• 1807 — Robert Fulton's Clermont begins its Hudson River steamboat run

  On August 17, 1807, Robert Fulton's steamboat left New York City for Albany — proving steam power could move passengers reliably on American rivers. Read the full story →

• 1943 — Allied forces complete the conquest of Sicily

  On August 17, 1943, U.S. and British troops entered Messina, finishing the Allied campaign that drove Axis forces from Sicily in World War II. Read the full story →

• 1945 — Sukarno proclaims Indonesia's independence

  On August 17, 1945, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed the independence of Indonesia in Jakarta — two days after Japan's surrender ended World War II in Asia. Read the full story →

• 1969 — The Woodstock Music Festival ends in Bethel, New York

  On August 17, 1969, the last day of Woodstock wrapped up after three days of rain, mud, and legendary performances on a dairy farm in Bethel, New York. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Davy Crockett (1786–1836) · Robert De Niro (1943) · Mae West (1893–1980) · Sean Penn (1960)

Days & observances

Black Cat Appreciation Day · National Thrift Shop Day · Independence Day (Indonesia) · National Nonprofit Day