What Happened on March 17?

March 17 is St. Patrick's Day — wear green! It's also the day the British army gave up Boston, and the day scientists announced a glowing new element called californium.

• 1776 — British Army evacuates Boston, ending the Siege of Boston

  After George Washington's troops aimed cannons down on the city, the British Army sailed out of Boston — a huge early win for the young Continental Army. Read the full story →

• 1950 — Scientists announce element 98: californium

  Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley revealed they had made element 98 by smashing atoms together — they named it californium. Read the full story →

• 1958 — Vanguard 1 launches: first solar-powered satellite

  The grapefruit-sized Vanguard 1 became the first satellite powered by solar cells and the fourth object ever placed in orbit around Earth. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Nat King Cole (1919–1965) · Katie Ledecky (1997) · Rob Lowe (1964) · Patrick McDonnell (1956)

Days & observances

St. Patrick's Day · Evacuation Day (Massachusetts)