Discover the Historical Events and Famous People Born on August 17

August 17 is a day filled with interesting events and famous birthdays. From kings and queens to inventors and movie stars, this date has seen it all. In this article, we’ll explore some important things that happened on August 17 throughout history. We’ll also learn about five famous people born on this day. Get ready to travel through time and meet some amazing individuals!

Historical Events of August 17

Charles IX Reaches His Majority (1563)

On August 17, 1563, King Charles IX of France was declared an adult at just 13 years old. This might seem young to us today, but it was common for royalty back then. Charles IX became king when he was only 10, after his older brother Francis II died. His mother, Catherine de’ Medici, ruled as regent until Charles turned 13.

Being declared an adult meant Charles could now make decisions on his own. However, his mother still had a lot of power and influence. This was a tough time for France. There were fights between Catholics and Protestants, which led to many wars. Charles tried to keep peace, but it was hard.

The young king’s rule wasn’t easy. He had to deal with religious conflicts and power struggles. Charles IX died at the age of 23, leaving a complicated legacy. His short reign showed how hard it was to be a young ruler in troubled times.

Francis Courts Elizabeth (1579)

On August 17, 1579, Francis, Duke of Anjou, visited Queen Elizabeth I of England. He wasn’t just there to say hello – he wanted to marry her! Elizabeth was known as the “Virgin Queen” because she never married. But that didn’t stop people from trying to win her hand.

Francis was much younger than Elizabeth. He was the youngest son of King Henry II of France. Elizabeth was 46 at the time, and Francis was only 24. Despite this age gap, they seemed to like each other. Elizabeth even called Francis her “frog” as a nickname.

The visit was part of long and complex marriage talks. Elizabeth thought about marrying Francis for political reasons. A marriage could have helped England and France become allies against Spain. But in the end, Elizabeth decided not to marry Francis. She never married anyone, staying true to her title as the Virgin Queen.

The Party that Led to Fall of Fouquet (1661)

On August 17, 1661, Nicolas Fouquet threw a huge party that changed his life forever. Fouquet was the Superintendent of Finances for King Louis XIV of France. He was very rich and powerful. The party was at his beautiful château called Vaux-le-Vicomte.

Fouquet invited many important people, including the king. The party was amazing. There was delicious food, great music, and even fireworks. But it was too much for the king. Louis XIV was shocked by how rich and fancy everything was. He started to think Fouquet might have stolen money from the government.

Just a few weeks after the party, Fouquet was arrested. He was accused of taking money that wasn’t his. Some people think the real reason was that the king was jealous. Fouquet spent the rest of his life in prison. His grand party, meant to impress the king, ended up being the reason for his downfall.

Fulton’s Trip up the Hudson (1807)

On August 17, 1807, something exciting happened on the Hudson River. Robert Fulton’s steamboat, called the Clermont, started its first trip up the river. This was a big deal because it changed how people traveled on water.

Before the Clermont, boats relied on wind or people rowing. Fulton’s steamboat used steam power to move. This meant it could go upstream easily, which was hard for other boats. The Clermont traveled from New York City to Albany, showing everyone how well it worked.

Fulton’s trip was a success. It proved that steamboats could be useful for transportation. After this, more and more steamboats were built. They helped trade and travel grow along rivers. Fulton’s invention changed river transportation forever.

Dutch Brigade (1808)

On August 17, 1808, French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte made an interesting request. He asked his brother, Louis Bonaparte, who was the King of Holland, for help. Napoleon wanted Dutch soldiers to fight for France against Spain.

This was during the Peninsular War, where France was fighting Spain and Portugal. Napoleon needed more soldiers, so he turned to his brother for help. This request shows how Napoleon tried to use his family connections to support his military goals.

The request also highlights the complex relationships between European countries at the time. Even though Louis was King of Holland, his brother still expected him to help France. This event is a small but interesting part of the bigger story of Napoleon’s attempts to control Europe.

Famous Birthdays on August 17

Davy Crockett (1786-1836)

Davy Crockett was born on August 17, 1786, in Greene County, Tennessee. He became famous as an American frontiersman, which means he explored and settled in wild, unknown areas. Crockett was also a soldier and a politician.

Here’s a quick look at Davy Crockett’s life:

Crockett grew up on the frontier and learned to hunt and survive in the wilderness. He fought in the Creek War and later became a politician. Crockett was elected to the United States Congress, where he fought for the rights of poor settlers.

He is most famous for his role in the Texas Revolution. Crockett died fighting at the Alamo in 1836. After his death, many stories and legends about him spread. These tales made him an American folk hero. Today, Davy Crockett is remembered as a symbol of the American frontier spirit.

Menelik II (1844-1913)

Menelik II was born on August 17, 1844, in Angolalla, Ethiopia. He became one of Ethiopia’s greatest leaders and helped keep the country independent when other African nations were being taken over by European countries.

Here’s a quick look at Menelik II’s life:

Menelik started as the King of Shewa, a region in Ethiopia. In 1889, he became Emperor of all Ethiopia. As emperor, Menelik did many things to make Ethiopia stronger and more modern. He built schools, hospitals, and Ethiopia’s first railway.

Menelik’s biggest achievement was keeping Ethiopia independent. In 1896, he led Ethiopian forces to victory against Italy in the Battle of Adwa. This was a very important moment in African history. It showed that an African country could defeat a European power. Because of this victory, Ethiopia stayed independent while other African countries became colonies.

Menelik II is remembered as a great leader who helped bring Ethiopia into the modern world while protecting its independence and culture.

Samuel Goldwyn (1882-1974)

Samuel Goldwyn was born on August 17, 1882, in Warsaw, Poland. He became one of the most important movie producers in Hollywood history.

Here’s a quick look at Samuel Goldwyn’s life:

Goldwyn came to America as a young man. He started working in the glove business but soon became interested in movies. In 1911, he helped start Paramount Pictures, one of the big Hollywood movie studios.

Later, Goldwyn started his own movie company. He produced many famous and award-winning films. One of his best-known movies is “The Best Years of Our Lives,” which won seven Academy Awards.

Goldwyn was known for his commitment to quality movies. He often said, “Why should people go out and pay to see bad movies when they can stay at home and see bad television for nothing?” This quote shows his belief in making good films.

Samuel Goldwyn helped shape the American film industry. His name is still connected with quality movies today.

Marcus Garvey (1887-1940)

Marcus Garvey was born on August 17, 1887, in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica. He became a important leader for black people around the world.

Here’s a quick look at Marcus Garvey’s life:

Garvey moved to the United States in 1916. He started an organization called the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). This group worked to help black people be proud of their race and to improve their lives.

Garvey is famous for his “Back-to-Africa” movement. He believed that African Americans should return to Africa to build a strong and free black nation. While this idea didn’t happen, it inspired many people to be proud of their African heritage.

Marcus Garvey’s ideas had a big impact on the Civil Rights Movement and on black pride around the world. Even though he faced many challenges and was even sent to prison, his message of black unity and pride continues to inspire people today.

Mae West (1893-1980)

Mae West was born on August 17, 1893, in Brooklyn, New York. She became a famous actress known for her bold personality and clever jokes.

Here’s a quick look at Mae West’s life:

Mae West started her career in vaudeville shows. These were live entertainment shows popular in the early 1900s. She became known for her funny and sometimes shocking performances.

West moved to Hollywood and became a movie star in the 1930s. She was different from other actresses because she often wrote her own lines. Her characters were usually strong, independent women who said funny and clever things.

One of Mae West’s most famous lines is, “Come up and see me sometime.” This became so popular that people still know it today. West continued to perform in movies, on stage, and on TV until she was in her 80s.

Mae West is remembered for her bold personality and for challenging ideas about how women should act. She showed that women could be strong, funny, and in control of their own lives.

Takeaways

August 17 has seen many important events throughout history. From young kings taking power to steamboats changing river travel, this date has played a part in shaping our world. It’s also the birthday of several famous people who made big impacts in different ways.

Davy Crockett explored the American frontier. Menelik II kept Ethiopia independent. Samuel Goldwyn helped create Hollywood. Marcus Garvey inspired black pride worldwide. Mae West changed how people saw women in entertainment.

These events and people show us how one day can connect to so many different parts of history. Whether it’s politics, technology, culture, or social change, August 17 has a bit of everything. It reminds us that every day has the potential to be important in ways we might not expect.

References:

1. “Charles IX of France.” Encyclopedia Britannica.
2. Doran, Susan. “Elizabeth I and Her Circle.” Oxford University Press, 2015.
3. Bluche, François. “Louis XIV.” Fayard, 1986.
4. Flexner, James Thomas. “Steamboats Come True: American Inventors in Action.” Fordham University Press, 1944.
5. Connelly, Owen. “The Wars of the French Revolution and Napoleon, 1792-1815.” Routledge, 2006.
6. Lofaro, Michael A. “Davy Crockett: The Man, The Legend, The Legacy.” University of Tennessee Press, 1985.
7. Marcus, Harold G. “The Life and Times of Menelik II: Ethiopia 1844-1913.” Red Sea Press, 1995.
8. Berg, A. Scott. “Goldwyn: A Biography.” Knopf, 1989.
9. Martin, Tony. “Race First: The Ideological and Organizational Struggles of Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association.” Majority Press, 1976.
10. Watts, Jill. Mae West: An Icon in Black and White.” Oxford University Press, 2001.