Key Events in History on August 17
August 17 has been a significant date in history, marked by several key events that have had a lasting impact on the world.
President Bill Clinton’s Testimony and Impeachment
On August 17, 1998, President Bill Clinton testified to a grand jury regarding his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. This testimony, conducted via closed-circuit television at the White House, led to Clinton admitting to an affair with Lewinsky. Despite his denial of perjury, Clinton was subsequently impeached by the House, although later acquitted by the Senate.
Historical Events from Various Years
In 1807, Robert Fulton’s North River Steamboat successfully completed its first voyage along the Hudson River, connecting New York City and Albany.
During the Civil War in 1863, Union forces bombarded Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, although the Confederates managed to hold their ground despite the prolonged attack.
In 1915, a tragic event occurred in Cobb County, Georgia, where a mob lynched Jewish businessman Leo Frank, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Mary Phagan.
Significant Moments from Around the World
In 1945, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared Indonesian independence, sparking a national revolution against Dutch rule.
Also in 1945, George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm,” a satirical commentary on Soviet communism, was first published in London, highlighting the author’s critique of the political system.
On a musical note, in 1959, trumpeter Miles Davis released “Kind of Blue,” a landmark jazz album that remains influential to this day.
These events, spanning various years, showcase the diverse and impactful moments that have occurred throughout history on August 17.
