Do you know what happened on June 17 in history? This date saw some major events and the birth of famous people. Let’s explore the exciting things that occurred on this day.
Historical Events on June 17
Vlad the Impaler Tries to Kill Mehmed II (1462):
Vlad III the Impaler was a prince of Wallachia, which is now part of Romania. He was also known as Dracula. In 1462, he tried to surprise and kill the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in an attack at night. This event is called “The Night Attack”. But Vlad’s plan didn’t work. He had to run away from Wallachia. Even though Vlad was brutal, he is an important figure in Romanian history for standing up against the Ottoman Empire.
Battle of Deptford Bridge (1497):
In 1497, there was a rebellion in Cornwall against King Henry VII of England. The rebels were led by a man named Michael An Gof. They fought against the king’s forces at Deptford Bridge in London. Sadly, the rebels lost the battle. The Cornish Rebellion ended in failure.
Cardinal John Fischer on Trial (1535):
John Fischer was an English Catholic Cardinal. He opposed the religious changes made by King Henry VIII. Fischer said that the king was not the head of the Church in England. This made Henry VIII angry. Fischer was put on trial at Westminster Hall for treason. He was found guilty. Later, he was hanged for his beliefs. Fischer’s death was an important event in the English Reformation.
Francis Drake Reaches California (1579):
Francis Drake was an English explorer. In 1579, he became the first European to land on the coast of California. He reached a place called Drakes Bay and named it “New Albion”. This was a big moment in the European exploration of the Americas.
The Taj Mahal’s Inspiration (1631):
Shah Jahan I was a Mughal emperor in India. He was married to Mumtaz Mahal. Sadly, Mumtaz died while giving birth to their child in 1631. Shah Jahan was heartbroken. To honor his wife’s memory, he decided to build a beautiful tomb called the Taj Mahal. It took over 20 years to complete. The Taj Mahal is now one of the most famous buildings in the world. It is a symbol of love.
Famous Birthdays on June 17
Edward I of England King of England (1272-1307)
- Born: June 17, 1239 in London, England
- Known for: Conquering Wales, fighting Scotland, and making England a strong country
- Died: July 7, 1307
Charles XII of Sweden King of Sweden (1697-1718)
- Born: June 17, 1682 in Stockholm, Sweden
- Known for: Being a brave warrior king and fighting many wars
- Died: November 30, 1718
Charles Gounod French composer(1818-1893)
- Born: June 17, 1818 in Paris, France
- Known for: Writing the opera Faust and the famous wedding song “Here Comes the Bride”
- Died: October 18, 1893
James Weldon Johnson(1871-1938)
- Born: June 17, 1871 in Jacksonville, Florida
- Known for: American poet and civil rights activist, Writing the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, fighting for African American rights, and leading the NAACP
- Died: June 26, 1938
Tommy Burns Canadian boxer(1881-1955)
- Born: June 17, 1881 in Hanover, Ontario, Canada
- Known for: Being the World Heavyweight Champion from 1906 to 1908
- Died: May 10, 1955
Takeaway:
June 17 is a date full of exciting historical events and the birthdays of remarkable individuals. From Vlad the Impaler’s daring attack to the tragic tale behind the Taj Mahal, this day has seen its share of drama. It also gave us notable rulers like Edward I and Charles XII, talented artists like Charles Gounod, and inspiring figures like James Weldon Johnson. By learning about these events and people, we can appreciate how rich and fascinating history can be. So the next time June 17 comes around, remember the amazing things that happened on this special day!
References:
- “Vlad the Impaler.” Biography. https://www.biography.com/military-figure/vlad-the-impaler
- “Battle of Deptford Bridge.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Deptford_Bridge
- “John Fisher.” Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-Fisher
- “Sir Francis Drake.” Biography. https://www.biography.com/explorer/francis-drake
- “Taj Mahal.” History. https://www.history.com/topics/india/taj-mahal
- “Edward I.” Historic UK. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Edward-I/
- “Charles XII.” Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-XII
- “Charles Gounod.” Classical Net. https://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/gounod.php
- “James Weldon Johnson.” Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/james-weldon-johnson
- “Tommy Burns.” Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tommy-Burns
