Fact 1: Saturnalia Commences
One of the well-celebrated events on December 17 is the beginning of Saturnalia. In ancient Roman times, this festival was a time for gift-giving, feasting and merriment, held in honor of Saturn, the deity of agriculture. This celebration was marked by school holidays, the making and giving of small presents, as well as a marketplace fair.
Fact 2: Beethoven's Birthday
On December 17, 1770, Ludwig van Beethoven, the musical savant, was born. Known for his prolific compositions, Beethoven revolutionized the symphony and is famous for pieces such as ‘Moonlight Sonata’ and ‘Symphony No.5.’ Despite his growing deafness in later years, Beethoven achieved legendary status for his passion for music.
Fact 3: Wright Brothers' First Flight
Before December 17, 1903, humans could only dream of taking to the skies. This was the monumental day when Orville and Wilbur Wright, two brothers from Ohio successfully made the first powered, sustained, and controlled flight in their airplane, The Flyer. A significant event that revolutionized air travel as we know it today.
Fact 4: Possibility of Snow
For countries in the northern hemisphere, December 17 often comes with the possibility of snow. Depending on where you are, you could potentially take part in fun winter activities like building snowmen, winter walks, and snowball fights.
Fact 5: National Maple Syrup Day in The U.S.
Get your fluffy pancakes ready. The USA celebrates National Maple Syrup Day on December 17. A day to appreciate the sweet and silky delight, used widely in desserts and classic American breakfasts.
Fact 6: Advent Calendar Countdown
December 17 also marks the countdown to Christmas with the open door of Day 17 on the Advent Calendar. This festive tradition helps build anticipation for the holiday season, making this day special for many.
Fact 7: Launch of Apollo 17’s Lunar Rover
On this day in 1972, astronauts aboard Apollo 17 deployed their lunar rover vehicle. This represented the last manned mission to the moon of the Apollo program and the day marked the commencement of the exploration of the lunar surface.
Fact 8: The Premiere of The Fellowship of the Ring
The Fellowship of the Ring, the first installment of the highly popular Lord of The Rings trilogy, premiered on December 17, 2001. This began the epic journey of Frodo and his companions that would captivate audiences worldwide.
Fact 9: Eureka, A Scientific Breakthrough
Greek mathematician, Archimedes, on December 17, supposedly had his famous “Eureka” moment. It was on this day that he reportedly discovered the principle of buoyancy while taking a bath.
Fact 10: Establishment of the Aztec Empire
According to some historical records, Itzcoatl’s coronation on December 17th, 1427, signifies the beginning of the Aztec Empire.
Fact 11: Discovery of the Piltdown Man Hoax
On December 17, 1912, the purported "missing link" between humans and apes, known as the Piltdown Man, was supposedly discovered. However, this was later revealed to be one of the most notorious hoaxes in the history of paleoanthropology.
Fact 12: The Opening of Disneyland's 'It's a Small World'
Originally created for the 1964 New York World's Fair, the iconic children's ride, "It's a Small World," was opened at Disneyland on December 17, 1966.
Fact 13: A Significant Date for the Pope
December 17 is especially significant for Pope Francis; it’s his birthday. He was born on this day in 1936 in Buenos Aires.
Fact 14: The Day the Clean Air Act Became Law
On December 17, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Clean Air Act into law, which significantly impacted pollution control in the United States.
Fact 15: Final Comic Strip of Calvin and Hobbes
On December 17, 1995, the world saw the last comic strip of the beloved series Calvin and Hobbes. The comic strip was globally popular due to its vibrant humor and philosophical depth.
Fact 16: Star Wars, The Force Awakens Premiere
In 2015, the much-anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiered on December 17, marking the arrival of the new era of the Star Wars franchise.
Fact 17: A Miracle on 34th Street
The original black and white version of the Christmas classic ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ was released in the UK on December 17, 1947.
Fact 18: First Spacewalk to Include an International Crew
On December 17, 1998, the first international spacewalk took place outside the International Space Station. The crew consisted of one American astronaut and one Russian cosmonaut.
Fact 19: Bill of Rights Day
In the U.S., December 17 has popularly been recognized as Bill of Rights Day to commemorate the ratification of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution in 1791.
Fact 20: Foundation of the City of Las Vegas
December 17 is also a significant day in American history as Las Vegas was officially established as a city on this day in 1905, when 110 acres of land was auctioned off, marking the birth of the city.