August 17

• 310 – Pope Eusebius dies, possibly from a hunger strike, shortly after being banished by the Emperor Maxentius to Sicily.
• 682 – Pope Leo II begins his pontificate.{{cite web |title=Saint Leo II {{!}} pope |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Leo-II |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=28 October 2020}}
• 986 – Byzantine–Bulgarian wars: Battle of the Gates of Trajan: The Bulgarians under the Comitopuli Samuel and Aron defeat the Byzantine forces at the Gate of Trajan, with Byzantine Emperor Basil II barely escaping.
• 1186 – Georgenberg Pact: Ottokar IV, Duke of Styria and Leopold V, Duke of Austria sign a heritage agreement in which Ottokar gives his duchy to Leopold and to his son Frederick under the stipulation that Austria and Styria would henceforth remain undivided.
• 1386 – Karl Topia, the ruler of Princedom of Albania forges an alliance with the Republic of Venice, committing to participate in all wars of the Republic and receiving coastal protection against the Ottomans in return.
• 1424 – Hundred Years' War: Battle of Verneuil: An English force under John, Duke of Bedford defeats a larger French army under Jean II, Duke of Alençon, John Stewart, and Earl Archibald of Douglas.
• 1488 – Konrad Bitz, the Bishop of Turku, marks the date of his preface to Missale Aboense, the oldest known book of Finland.{{cite web|url=https://www.europeana.eu/fi/item/92002/BibliographicResource_1000093325379_source|title=Missale Aboense|publisher=Europeana|access-date=8 January 2023}}
• 1498 – Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI, becomes the first person in history to resign the cardinalate; later that same day, King Louis XII of France names him Duke of Valentinois.
• 1549 – Battle of Sampford Courtenay: The Prayer Book Rebellion is quashed in England.
• 1560 – The Catholic Church is overthrown and Protestantism is established as the national religion in Scotland.
• 1585 – Eighty Years' War: Siege of Antwerp: Antwerp is captured by Spanish forces under Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, who orders Protestants to leave the city and as a result over half of the 100,000 inhabitants flee to the northern provinces.
• 1585 – A first group of colonists sent by Sir Walter Raleigh under the charge of Ralph Lane lands in the New World to create Roanoke Colony on Roanoke Island, off the coast of present-day North Carolina.
• 1597 – Islands Voyage: Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, and Sir Walter Raleigh set sail on an expedition to the Azores.

• 1668 – The magnitude 8.0 North Anatolia earthquake causes 8,000 deaths in northern Anatolia, Ottoman Empire.{{Cite web |url=http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/world/historical.php/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825081330/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/world/historical.php/ |archive-date=25 August 2009|title=Historic Worldwide Earthquakes |publisher=United States Geological Survey|access-date=27 September 2021}}{{Cite journal |last1=Zabci |first1=C. |last2=Akyüz |first2=H. S. |last3=Karabacak |first3=V. |last4=Sançar |first4=T. |last5=Altunel |first5=E. |last6=Gürsoy |first6=H. |last7=Tatar |first7=O. |year=2011 |title=Palaeoearthquakes on the Kelkit Valley Segment of the North Anatolian Fault, Turkey: Implications for the Surface Rupture of the Historical 17 August 1668 Anatolian Earthquake |url=http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/earth/issues/yer-11-20-4/yer-20-4-4-0910-48.pdf |journal=Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences |volume=20 |pages=411–427 |access-date=27 September 2021 |archive-date=26 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926193329/https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/earth/issues/yer-11-20-4/yer-20-4-4-0910-48.pdf }}
• 1717 – Austro-Turkish War of 1716–18: The month-long Siege of Belgrade ends with Prince Eugene of Savoy's Austrian troops capturing the city from the Ottoman Empire.
• 1723 – Ioan Giurgiu Patachi becomes Bishop of Făgăraș and is festively installed in his position at the St. Nicolas Cathedral in Făgăraș, after being formally confirmed earlier by Pope Clement XI.
• 1740 – Pope Benedict XIV, previously known as Prospero Lambertini, succeeds Clement XII as the 247th Pope.
• 1784 – Classical composer Luigi Boccherini receives a pay rise of 12,000 reals from his employer, the Infante Luis, Count of Chinchón.
• 1798 – The Vietnamese Catholics report a Marian apparition in Quảng Trị, an event which is called Our Lady of La Vang.
• 1807 – Robert Fulton's North River Steamboat leaves New York City for Albany, New York, on the Hudson River, inaugurating the first commercial steamboat service in the world.
• 1808 – The Finnish War: The Battle of Alavus is fought.{{cite book|title=När riket sprängdes: fälttågen i Finland och Västerbotten, 1808-1809 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DNPRAAAAMAAJ |first=Eirik |last=Hornborg |language=sv |year=1955|publisher=P. A. Norstedts och Söners Förlag |location=Stockholm}}
• 1827 – Dutch King William I and Pope Leo XII sign concord.
• 1836 – British parliament accepts registration of births, marriages and deaths.
• 1862 – American Indian Wars: The Dakota War of 1862 begins in Minnesota as Dakota warriors attack white settlements along the Minnesota River.
• 1862 – American Civil War: Major General J. E. B. Stuart is assigned command of all the cavalry of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
• 1863 – American Civil War: In Charleston, South Carolina, Union batteries and ships bombard Confederate-held Fort Sumter.
• 1864 – American Civil War: Battle of Gainesville: Confederate forces defeat Union troops near Gainesville, Florida.
• 1866 – The Grand Duchy of Baden announces its withdrawal from the German Confederation and signs a treaty of peace and alliance with Prussia.
• 1876 – Richard Wagner's Götterdämmerung, the last opera in his Ringcycle, premieres at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus.{{Cite web |date=7 May 2012 |title=Götterdämmerung: Performance History |url=http://opera.stanford.edu/Wagner/Gotterdammerung/history.html |access-date=17 August 2022 |website=OperaGlass}}
• 1883 – The first public performance of the Dominican Republic's national anthem, Himno Nacional.
• 1896 – Bridget Driscoll became the first recorded case of a pedestrian killed in a collision with a motor car in the United Kingdom.

• 1914 – World War I: Battle of Stallupönen: The German army of General Hermann von François defeats the Russian force commanded by Paul von Rennenkampf near modern-day Nesterov, Russia.
• 1915 – Jewish American Leo Frank is lynched in Marietta, Georgia, USA after his death sentence is commuted by Governor John Slaton.
• 1915 – A Category 4 hurricane hits Galveston, Texas with winds at {{convert|135|mph|km/h}}.
• 1916 – World War I: Romania signs a secret treaty with the Entente Powers. According to the treaty, Romania agreed to join the war on the Allied side.
• 1918 – Bolshevik revolutionary leader Moisei Uritsky is assassinated.
• 1942 – World War II: U.S. Marines raid the Japanese-held Pacific island of Makin.
• 1943 – World War II: The U.S. Eighth Air Force suffers the loss of 60 bombers on the Schweinfurt–Regensburg mission.
• 1943 – World War II: The U.S. Seventh Army under General George S. Patton arrives in Messina, Italy, followed several hours later by the British 8th Army under Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, thus completing the Allied conquest of Sicily.
• 1943 – World War II: First Québec Conference of Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and William Lyon Mackenzie King begins.
• 1943 – World War II: The Royal Air Force begins Operation Hydra, the first air raid of the Operation Crossbow strategic bombing campaign against Germany's V-weapon program.
• 1945 – Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaim the independence of Indonesia, igniting the Indonesian National Revolution against the Dutch Empire.
• 1945 – The novella Animal Farm by George Orwell is first published.
• 1945 – Evacuation of Manchukuo: At Talitzou by the Sino-Korean border, Puyi, then the Kangde Emperor of Manchukuo, formally renounces the imperial throne, dissolves the state, and cedes its territory to the Republic of China.{{cite book | last = Behr | first = Edward | year = 1977 | title = The Last Emperor | publisher = Bantam | isbn = 0-553-34474-9 | pages = 262–263 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/lastemperor00behr }}
• 1947 – The Radcliffe Line, the border between the Dominions of India and Pakistan, is revealed.
• 1949 – The 6.7 {{M|s}} Karlıova earthquake shakes eastern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme), leaving 320–450 dead.{{cite web|url=http://www.koeri.boun.edu.tr/sismo/2/deprem-bilgileri/buyuk-depremler/|title=Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute National Earthquake Monitoring Center (NEMC) List of major earthquakes 1900–2004|publisher=Boğaziçi University|language=Turkish|access-date=27 August 2010}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sQUzDAAAQBAJ|title=Asian Law in Disasters: Toward a Human-Centered Recovery |author=Yuka Kaneko |author2=Katsumi Matsuoka |author3=Toshihisa Toyoda |publisher=Routledge|year=2016|isbn=978-1-317-39684-0|access-date=27 September 2021}}
• 1949 – Matsukawa derailment: Unknown saboteurs cause a passenger train to derail and overturn in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, killing three crew members and igniting a political firestorm between the Japanese Communist Party and the government of Occupied Japan that will eventually lead to the Japanese Red Purge.{{cite book | last = Chalmers | first = Johnson | year = 1972 | pages = 118–119 | title = Conspiracy at Matsukawa | publisher = University of California Press | isbn = 0-520-02063-4 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/conspiracyatmats0000john }}
• 1953 – First meeting of Narcotics Anonymous takes place, in Southern California.
• 1955 – Hurricane Diane made landfall near Wilmington, North Carolina, and it went on to cause major floods and kill more than 184 people.{{cite journal|author=Gordon E. Dunn|author2=Walter R. Davis|author3=Paul L. Moore|title=Hurricanes of 1955|pages=319|publisher=United States Weather Bureau|access-date=2013-02-13|date=December 1955|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/083/mwr-083-12-0315.pdf|journal=Monthly Weather Review|volume=83|issue=12|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1955)083<0315:HO>2.0.CO;2|bibcode = 1955MWRv...83..315D|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026210422/http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/083/mwr-083-12-0315.pdf|archive-date=2007-10-26}}{{cite report|author=Edward N. Rappaport|author2=Jose Fernandez-Partagas|author3=Jack Beven|date=1997-04-22|title=The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492– 1996|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2013-02-03|chapter-url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastdeadlyapp1.shtml?|chapter=Appendix 1: Cyclones with 25+ deaths}}
• 1958 – Pioneer 0, America's first attempt at lunar orbit, is launched using the first Thor-Able rocket and fails. Notable as one of the first attempted launches beyond Earth orbit by any country.
• 1959 – Quake Lake is formed by the magnitude 7.2 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake near Hebgen Lake in Montana.
• 1960 – Aeroflot Flight 036 crashes in Soviet Ukraine, killing 34.{{cite web |title=Wednesday 17 August 1960 |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19600817-0 |access-date=29 October 2019 |website=aviation-safety.net |publisher=Aviation Safety Network}}
• 1962 – Peter Fechter is shot and bleeds to death while trying to cross the new Berlin Wall.
• 1969 – Category 5 Hurricane Camille hits the U.S. Gulf Coast, killing 256 and causing $1.42 billion in damage.
• 1970 – Soviet Union Venera program: Venera 7 launched. It will become the first spacecraft to successfully transmit data from the surface of another planet (Venus).
• 1976 – A magnitude 7.9 earthquake hits off the coast of Mindanao, Philippines, triggering a destructive tsunami, killing between 5,000 and 8,000 people and leaving more than 90,000 homeless.{{cite book|title=Catalog of Tsunamis in the Pacific 1969–1982|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=umZ--INFYEEC&pg=PA103|author=Staff of the Academy of Sciences of the USS|publisher=Diane Pub|isbn=978-0-7881393-1-4|pages=103, 104|date=1997}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ringsurf.com/online/2412-tsunamis_through_history.html|title=Tsunami | Tsunami History | Tsunami Devastation | Tsunami Tragedy|website=www.ringsurf.com}}
• 1977 – The Soviet icebreaker Arktika becomes the first surface ship to reach the North Pole.
• 1978 – Double Eagle II becomes first balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean when it lands in Miserey, France near Paris, 137 hours after leaving Presque Isle, Maine.
• 1985 – The 1985–86 Hormel strike begins in Austin, Minnesota.{{Cite web|title=Hormel Strike, 1985–1986 {{!}} MNopedia|url=https://www.mnopedia.org/event/hormel-strike-1985-1986|access-date=2021-05-18|website=www.mnopedia.org}}
• 1988 – President of Pakistan Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and U.S. Ambassador Arnold Raphel are killed in a plane crash.
• 1991 – Strathfield massacre: In Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, taxi driver Wade Frankum shoots seven people and injures six others before turning the gun on himself.
• 1998 – Lewinsky scandal: US President Bill Clinton admits in taped testimony that he had an "improper physical relationship" with White House intern Monica Lewinsky; later that same day he admits before the nation that he "misled people" about the relationship.
• 1999 – The 7.6 {{M|w}} İzmit earthquake shakes northwestern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), leaving 17,118–17,127 dead and 43,953–50,000 injured.
• 2004 – The National Assembly of Serbia unanimously adopts new state symbols for Serbia: Bože pravde becomes the new anthem and the coat of arms is adopted for the whole country.
• 2005 – The first forced evacuation of settlers, as part of Israeli disengagement from Gaza, starts.
• 2005 – Over 500 bombs are set off by terrorists at 300 locations in 63 out of the 64 districts of Bangladesh.
• 2008 – American swimmer Michael Phelps becomes the first person to win eight gold medals at one Olympic Games.
• 2009 – An accident at the Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam in Khakassia, Russia, kills 75 and shuts down the hydroelectric power station, leading to widespread power failure in the local area.
• 2015 – A bomb explodes near the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, killing at least 19 people and injuring 123 others.
• 2017 – Barcelona attacks: A van is driven into pedestrians in La Rambla, killing 14 and injuring at least 100.
• 2019 – A bomb explodes at a wedding in Kabul killing 63 people and leaving 182 injured.{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/dozens-feared-dead-or-injured-in-explosion-at-wedding-hall-in-kabul-afghanistan-11787995|title=Bomb blast at wedding party in Kabul, Afghanistan kills 63 and injures 182 more|date=18 August 2019|work=Sky News|access-date=19 August 2019}}

• 1153 – William IX, Count of Poitiers (died 1156)
• 1465 – Philibert I, Duke of Savoy (died 1482)
• 1473 – Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York (died 1483)
• 1501 – Philipp II, Count of Hanau-Münzenberg (died 1529)
• 1556 – Alexander Briant, English martyr and saint (died 1581)
• 1578 – Francesco Albani, Italian painter (died 1660)
• 1578 – Johann, Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, first prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (died 1638)
• 1582 – John Matthew Rispoli, Maltese philosopher (died 1639)
• 1586 – Johann Valentin Andrea, German theologian (died 1654)

• 1603 – Lennart Torstensson, Swedish Field Marshal, Privy Councillour and Governor-General (died 1651)
• 1629 – John III Sobieski, Polish–Lithuanian king (died 1696)
• 1686 – Nicola Porpora, Italian composer and educator (died 1768){{cite Grove |last1=Markstrom |first1=Kurt |last2=Robinson |first2=Michael F. |title=Porpora, Nicola |date=2001 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.22126}}
• 1753 – Josef Dobrovský, Bohemian philologist and historian (died 1828)
• 1768 – Louis Desaix, French general (died 1800)
• 1786 – Davy Crockett, American soldier and politician (died 1836){{cite ANB |last1=Lofaro |first1=Michael A. |title=Crockett, Davy (1786-1836), frontiersman, Tennessee and U.S. congressman, and folk hero |date=February 2000 |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.2000231}}
• 1786 – Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (died 1861)
• 1801 – Fredrika Bremer, Swedish writer and feminist (died 1865){{cite EB1911|wstitle=Bremer, Fredrika |volume=4 |pages=494–495}}
• 1828 – Jules Bernard Luys, French neurologist and physician (died 1897)
• 1840 – Wilfrid Scawen Blunt, English poet and activist (died 1922){{cite ODNB |last1=Longford |first1=Elizabeth |title=Blunt, Wilfrid Scawen (1840–1922), hedonist, poet, and breeder of Arab horses |date=23 September 2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/31938}}
• 1845 – Henry Cadwalader Chapman, American physician and naturalist (died 1909)
• 1849 – William Kidston, Scottish-Australian politician, 17th Premier of Queensland (died 1919)
• 1863 – Gene Stratton-Porter, American author and photographer (died 1924)
• 1865 – Julia Marlowe, English-American actress (died 1950)
• 1866 – Mahbub Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI, Indian 6th Nizam of Hyderabad (died 1911)
• 1873 – John A. Sampson, American gynecologist and academic (died 1946)
• 1877 – Ralph McKittrick, American golfer and tennis player (died 1923)
• 1878 – Reggie Duff, Australian cricketer (died 1911)
• 1880 – Percy Sherwell, South African cricketer and tennis player (died 1948)
• 1887 – Charles I of Austria (died 1922)
• 1887 – Marcus Garvey, Jamaican journalist and activist, founded Black Star Line (died 1940)
• 1888 – Monty Woolley, American actor, raconteur, and pundit (died 1963){{cite ANB |last1=Fisher |first1=James |title=Woolley, Monty (1888-1963), stage and screen actor and director |date=February 2000 |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1801268}}
• 1889 – Lalla Carlsen, Norwegian singer and actress (died 1967){{cite encyclopedia|title=Lalla Carlsen |first1=Lillian |last1=Bikset |encyclopedia=Store norske leksikon |date=22 August 2023 |editor1-last=Bolstad | editor1-first=Erik |publisher=Norsk nettleksikon |location=Oslo |url=https://snl.no/Lalla_Carlsen |language=no|access-date=14 March 2024}}
• 1890 – Stefan Bastyr, Polish soldier and pilot (died 1920)
• 1890 – Harry Hopkins, American politician and diplomat, 8th United States Secretary of Commerce (died 1946){{cite ANB |last1=McJimsey |first1=George |title=Hopkins, Harry Lloyd (1890-1946), New Deal administrator and presidential adviser |date=February 2000 |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0600288}}
• 1893 – John Brahm, German-American director and production manager (died 1982)
• 1893 – Mae West, American stage and film actress (died 1980){{cite web |title=Mae West {{!}} Biography, Plays, Movies, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mae-West |website=www.britannica.com |access-date=19 April 2022}}
• 1894 – William Rootes, 1st Baron Rootes, English businessman, founded Rootes Group (died 1964){{cite ODNB |last1=Butterworth |first1=J. B. |last2=Bloomfield |first2=G. T. |title=Rootes, William Edward, first Baron Rootes (1894–1964), motor vehicle manufacturer |date=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/35825}}
• 1896 – Leslie Groves, American general and engineer (died 1970){{cite ANB |last1=Fredriksen |first1=John C. |title=Groves, Leslie Richard, Jr. (1896-1970), army officer and engineer |date=February 2000 |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0700115}}
• 1896 – Tõnis Kint, Estonian lieutenant and politician, Prime Minister of Estonia in exile (died 1991)
• 1896 – Oliver Waterman Larkin, American historian and author (died 1970)
• 1899 – Janet Lewis, American poet and novelist (died 1998){{cite news |author1=Robert McG. Thomas Jr. |author-link1=Robert McG. Thomas Jr. |title=Janet Lewis, 99, Poet of Spirit and Keeper of the Hearth, Dies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/05/arts/janet-lewis-99-poet-of-spirit-and-keeper-of-the-hearth-dies.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 April 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=5 December 1998 |page=C 16}}{{cite news |title= Obituary: Janet Lewis |author= Davis, Dick|newspaper= The Independent|date= December 15, 1998|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-janet-lewis-1191516.html|accessdate=July 11, 2010}}
• 1900 – Vivienne de Watteville, British travel writer and adventurer (died 1957)
• 1900 – Pauline A. Young, American teacher, historian, aviator and activist (died 1991)

• 1904 – Mary Cain, American journalist and politician (died 1984){{cite ANB |last1=McRae |first1=Elizabeth Gillespie |title=Cain, Mary Dawson (17 Aug. 1904–6 May 1984), newspaper publisher and conservative political activist |date=26 May 2022 |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.013.370007}}
• 1904 – Leopold Nowak, Austrian composer and musicologist (died 1991){{cite Grove |last1=Klein |first1=Rudolf |last2=Korstvedt |first2=Benjamin |title=Nowak, Leopold |date=2001 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.20155}}
• 1909 – Larry Clinton, American trumpet player and bandleader (died 1985){{cite Grove |last1=Schneider |first1=Wayne |title=Clinton, Larry |date=2003 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J091300}}
• 1909 – Wilf Copping, English footballer (died 1980)
• 1911 – Mikhail Botvinnik, Russian chess player and engineer (died 1995)
• 1911 – Martin Sandberger, German colonel and lawyer (died 2010){{cite news |title=The Quiet Death of a Nazi |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/interview-death-nazi-officer-martin-sandberger/story?id=10380750 |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=ABC News |date=15 April 2010}}
• 1913 – Mark Felt, American lawyer and agent, 2nd Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (died 2008){{cite ANB |last1=Evensen |first1=Bruce J. |title=Felt, Mark (17 August 1913–18 December 2008) |date=April 2015 |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0700855}}
• 1913 – Oscar Alfredo Gálvez, Argentinian race car driver (died 1989)
• 1913 – Rudy York, American baseball player and manager (died 1970)
• 1914 – Bill Downs, American journalist (died 1978)
• 1914 – Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr., American lawyer and politician (died 1988){{cite ANB |last1=Lemons |first1=Shelly L. |title=Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, Jr. (1914-1988), politician and businessman |date=February 2000 |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0700515}}
• 1916 – Moses Majekodunmi, Nigerian physician and politician (died 2012)
• 1918 – Evelyn Ankers, British-American actress (died 1985){{cite news |title=Evelyn Ankers Is Dead; 'Queen' of the B-Films |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/31/arts/evelyn-ankers-is-dead-queen-of-the-b-films.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=31 August 1985}}
• 1918 – Ike Quebec, American saxophonist and pianist (died 1963){{cite Grove |last1=Lambert |first1=Eddie |last2=Kernfeld |first2=Barry |title=Quebec, Ike |date=2003 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J366500}}
• 1918 – Michael John Wise, English geographer and academic (died 2015){{cite ODNB |last1=Johnston |first1=Ron |title=Wise, Michael John (1918–2015), geographer |date=10 January 2019 |doi=10.1093/odnb/9780198614128.013.109817}}
• 1919 – Georgia Gibbs, American singer (died 2006){{cite news |last1=Fox |first1=Margalit |title=Georgia Gibbs, 87, Singer of the '50s Hit 'Kiss of Fire,' Dies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/12/obituaries/12gibbs.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=12 December 2006}}
• 1920 – Maureen O'Hara, Irish-American actress and singer (died 2015){{cite ANB |last1=Evensen |first1=Bruce J. |title=O'Hara, Maureen (17 Aug. 1920–24 Oct. 2015), actress |date=28 March 2019 |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.013.1803936}}
• 1920 – Lida Moser, American photographer and author (died 2014){{cite news |last1=Slotnik |first1=Daniel E. |title=Lida Moser, Photographer With an Urban Eye, Dies at 93 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/03/arts/lida-moser-photographer-with-an-urban-eye-dies-at-93.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=3 September 2014}}
• 1921 – Geoffrey Elton, German-English historian and academic (died 1994)
• 1922 – Roy Tattersall, English cricketer (died 2011){{cite news |last1=Frith |first1=David |title=Roy Tattersall obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/dec/11/roy-tattersall |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=11 December 2011}}
• 1923 – Carlos Cruz-Diez, Venezuelan artist (died 2019){{cite journal |last1=Rodríguez |first1=Bélgica |editor-first1=Iliana |editor-last1=Cepero |title=Cruz-Diez, Carlos |journal=Oxford Art Online |date=2003 |doi=10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.T020486|isbn=978-1-884446-05-4 }}
• 1923 – Larry Rivers, American painter and sculptor (died 2002){{cite journal |last1=Harrison |first1=Helen A. |title=Rivers, Larry |journal=Oxford Art Online |date=2003 |doi=10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.T072310}}
• 1924 – Evan S. Connell, American novelist, poet, and short story writer (died 2013){{cite news |last1=Carlson |first1=Michael |title=Evan S Connell obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jan/14/evan-s-connell |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=14 January 2013}}
• 1926 – Valerie Eliot, English businesswoman (died 2012){{cite ODNB |last1=Raine |first1=Craig |title=Eliot [née Fletcher], (Esmé) Valerie (1926–2012), literary executor and editor |date=7 January 2016 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/105728}}
• 1926 – Jiang Zemin, Chinese engineer and politician, former General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (paramount leader) and 5th President of China (died 2022)
• 1927 – Sam Butera, American saxophonist and bandleader (died 2009){{cite news |last1=Keepnews |first1=Peter |title=Sam Butera, High-Energy Jazz Saxophonist and Bandleader, Is Dead at 81 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/2009/06/05/arts/music/05butera.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=5 June 2009}}
• 1927 – F. Ray Keyser Jr., American lawyer and politician, Governor of Vermont (died 2015){{cite web |title=F. Ray Keyser, Ex-Governor of Vermont, Dies at 87 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/09/us/f-ray-keyser-ex-governor-of-vermont-dies-at-87.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=3 June 2024 |date=9 March 2015}}
• 1928 – T. J. Anderson, American composer, conductor, and educator{{cite Grove |last1=Ramsey |first1=Guthrie P., Jr |title=Anderson, T(homas) J(efferson) |date=2001 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.00866}}
• 1928 – Willem Duys, Dutch tennis player, sportscaster, and producer (died 2011)
• 1929 – Francis Gary Powers, American captain and pilot (died 1977){{cite ANB |last1=Butler |first1=Brian |title=Powers, Francis Gary (1929-1977), pilot and espionage agent |date=February 2000 |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0700619}}
• 1930 – Harve Bennett, American screenwriter and producer (died 2015){{cite news |last1=Fox |first1=Margalit |title=Harve Bennett, Quiz Kid and 'Star Trek' Producer, Dies at 84 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/07/arts/television/harve-bennett-quiz-kid-and-star-trek-producer-dies-at-84.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=7 March 2015}}
• 1930 – Ted Hughes, English poet and playwright (died 1998){{cite news |last1=Lyall |first1=Sarah |title=Ted Hughes, 68, a Symbolic Poet And Sylvia Plath's Husband, Dies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/30/books/ted-hughes-68-a-symbolic-poet-and-sylvia-plath-s-husband-dies.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=30 October 1998}}
• 1931 – Tony Wrigley, English historian, demographer, and academic (died 2022){{cite web |title=Professor Sir Tony Wrigley PhD FBA m.1949 |url=https://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/news/professor-sir-tony-wrigley-phd-fba-m1949 |website=Peterhouse Cambridge |access-date=3 March 2022 |date=2 March 2022}}
• 1932 – V. S. Naipaul, Trinidadian-English novelist and essayist, Nobel Prize laureate (died 2018){{cite news |last1=Ramchand |first1=Kenneth |title=VS Naipaul obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/aug/12/vs-naipaul-obituary |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=12 August 2018}}
• 1932 – Duke Pearson, American pianist and composer (died 1980){{cite Grove |last1=Kernfeld |first1=Barry |title=Pearson, Duke |date=2003 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J349300}}
• 1932 – Jean-Jacques Sempé, French cartoonist (died 2022){{cite news|title=French cartoonist Sempe, famous for New Yorker covers, dies age 89|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-cartoonist-sempe-famous-new-yorker-covers-dies-age-89-2022-08-12/|work=Reuters|date=August 12, 2022|language=en|access-date=12 August 2022|archive-date=12 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812102121/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-cartoonist-sempe-famous-new-yorker-covers-dies-age-89-2022-08-12/|url-status=live}}
• 1933 – Mark Dinning, American pop singer (died 1986)
• 1934 – João Donato, Brazilian pianist and composer (died 2023){{cite news |last1=Pareles |first1=Jon |title=João Donato, Innovative Brazilian Musician, Is Dead at 88 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/arts/music/joao-donato-dead.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=21 July 2023}}
• 1934 – Ron Henry, English footballer (died 2014){{cite news |last1=Welch |first1=Julie |title=Ron Henry obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/05/ron-henry |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=5 January 2015}}
• 1936 – Seamus Mallon, Irish educator and politician, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland (died 2020)
• 1936 – Margaret Heafield Hamilton, American computer scientist, systems engineer, and business owner
• 1938 – Theodoros Pangalos, Greek lawyer and politician, Deputy Prime Minister of Greece (died 2023){{cite news |title=Theodoros Pangalos, outspoken Greek former foreign minister, dies at 84 |url=https://apnews.com/article/greece-theodoros-pangalos-dies-7ebdb39af848eee6d6d08728b220b00e |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=AP News |date=31 May 2023|first1=Nicholas |last1=Paphitis}}
• 1939 – Luther Allison, American blues guitarist and singer (died 1997){{cite news |last1=Leigh |first1=Spencer |title=Obituary: Luther Allison |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-luther-allison-1245354.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Independent |date=13 August 1997}}
• 1940 – Eduardo Mignogna, Argentinian director and screenwriter (died 2006)
• 1940 – Barry Sheerman, English academic and politician
• 1941 – Lothar Bisky, German businessman and politician (died 2013){{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=Robert H. |title=Ex-leader of Germany's Left Party dies at age 71 |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-0012afd6a41e45cd9df6d591f010d3f8 |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=AP News |date=13 August 2013}}
• 1941 – Jean Pierre Lefebvre, Canadian director and screenwriter
• 1941 – Boog Powell, American baseball player{{cite web |title=Boog Powell |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/boog-powell-120719 |publisher=Major League Baseball |access-date=15 August 2023}}
• 1942 – Shane Porteous, Australian actor, animator, and screenwriter
• 1943 – Edward Cowie, English composer, painter, and author{{cite Grove |last1=Burton |first1=Anthony |title=Cowie, Edward |date=2001 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.06746}}
• 1943 – Robert De Niro, American actor, entrepreneur, director, and producer{{cite web |title=Robert De Niro |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/robert-de-niro |website=www.goldenglobes.com |access-date=7 October 2020}}{{cite web |title=De Niro, Robert |url=https://id.loc.gov/rwo/agents/n85231405.html |website=LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies |publisher=Library of Congress |access-date=7 October 2020}}
• 1943 – John Humphrys, Welsh journalist and author
• 1943 – Dave "Snaker" Ray, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (died 2002)
• 1944 – Larry Ellison, American businessman, co-founded the Oracle Corporation
• 1944 – Jean-Bernard Pommier, French pianist and conductor{{cite Grove |last1=Timbrell |first1=Charles |title=Pommier, Jean-Bernard |date=2001 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.22065}}
• 1945 – Rachel Pollack, American author, poet, and educator (died 2023){{cite news |last1=Priest |first1=Christopher |title=Rachel Pollack obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/apr/17/rachel-pollack-obituary |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=17 April 2023}}
• 1946 – Hugh Baiocchi, South African golfer
• 1946 – Martha Coolidge, American director, producer, and screenwriter
• 1946 – Patrick Manning, Trinidadian-Tobagonian politician, 4th Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago (died 2016)
• 1947 – Mohamed Abdelaziz, Sahrawi politician, President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (died 2016)
• 1947 – Gary Talley, American guitarist, singer-songwriter, and author
• 1948 – Alexander Ivashkin, Russian-English cellist and conductor (died 2014){{cite news |last1=Dixon |first1=Gavin |title=Alexander Ivashkin obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/13/alexander-ivashkin |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=13 February 2014}}
• 1949 – Norm Coleman, American lawyer and politician, 52nd Mayor of St. Paul
• 1949 – Sue Draheim, American fiddler and composer (died 2013){{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Ken |title=Sue Draheim: Widely admired folk violinist |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/sue-draheim-widely-admired-folk-violinist-8635048.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Independent |date=28 May 2013}}
• 1949 – Julian Fellowes, English actor, director, screenwriter, and politician
• 1949 – Sib Hashian, American rock drummer (died 2017){{cite news |last1=Staff |first1=Bryan Marquard Globe |title=Sib Hashian, 67, former drummer for Boston |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/obituaries/2017/03/23/sib-hashian-former-drummer-for-boston-dies/cwWTjRTGSCg7xdxC8slHkK/story.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Boston Globe |date=23 March 2017}}
• 1950 – Geraint Jarman, Welsh musician, poet and television producer (died 2025){{Cite news |date=2020-08-17 |title=Geraint Jarman yn 70 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw/53802556 |access-date=2025-03-03 |work=BBC Cymru Fyw |language=cy}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-03 |title=Y canwr Geraint Jarman wedi marw yn 74 oed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw/erthyglau/cx29jdjdl0zo |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=BBC Cymru Fyw |language=cy}}
• 1951 – Richard Hunt, American Muppet performer (died 1992)
• 1951 – Robert Joy, Canadian actor
• 1952 – Aleksandr Maksimenkov, Russian footballer and coach (died 2012)
• 1952 – Nelson Piquet, Brazilian race car driver and businessman
• 1952 – Mario Theissen, German engineer and businessman
• 1952 – Guillermo Vilas, Argentinian tennis player
• 1953 – Mick Malthouse, Australian footballer and coach
• 1953 – Herta Müller, Romanian-German poet and author, Nobel Prize laureate
• 1953 – Korrie Layun Rampan, Indonesian author, poet, and critic (died 2015)
• 1953 – Kevin Rowland, English singer-songwriter and guitarist
• 1954 – Eric Johnson, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
• 1954 – Andrés Pastrana Arango, Colombian lawyer and politician, 38th President of Colombia
• 1955 – Colin Moulding, English singer-songwriter and bassist
• 1956 – Gail Berman, American businessman, co-founded BermanBraun
• 1956 – Álvaro Pino, Spanish cyclist
• 1957 – Ken Kwapis, American director and screenwriter
• 1957 – Laurence Overmire, American poet, author, and actor
• 1957 – Robin Cousins, British competitive figure skater
• 1958 – Belinda Carlisle, American singer-songwriter{{cite Grove |last1=Brown |first1=Jessica L. |title=Go-Go's, the |date=1 July 2014 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2262338}}
• 1958 – Fred Goodwin, Scottish banker and accountant
• 1958 – Maurizio Sandro Sala, Brazilian race car driver
• 1959 – Jonathan Franzen, American novelist and essayist
• 1959 – Jacek Kazimierski, Polish footballer
• 1959 – Eric Schlosser, American journalist and author
• 1959 – David Koresh, American cult leader{{cite web|title=David Koresh |date=27 March 2023 |url=https://www.biography.com/crime/david-koresh}} (died 1993)
• 1960 – Stephan Eicher, Swiss singer-songwriter
• 1960 – Sean Penn, American actor, director, and political activist{{cite web |title=Sean Penn |url=https://www.biography.com/actor/sean-penn |website=Biography.com |publisher=A&E Television Networks |access-date=14 August 2020}}
• 1962 – Gilby Clarke, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer{{cite Grove |last1=Jovanovic |first1=Rob |title=Guns N' Roses |date=25 July 2013 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2241369}}
• 1962 – Dan Dakich, American basketball player, coach, and sportscaster
• 1963 – Jon Gruden, American football player, coach, and sportscaster
• 1963 – Jackie Walorski, American politician (died 2022){{CongBio |id==W000813 |name=WALORSKI, Jackie (1963–)|inline=YES}}
• 1964 – Colin James, Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
• 1964 – Maria McKee, American singer-songwriter
• 1964 – Dave Penney, English footballer and manager
• 1965 – Steve Gorman, American drummer
• 1965 – Dottie Pepper, American golfer
• 1966 – Jüri Luik, Estonian politician and diplomat, 18th Estonian Minister of Defense
• 1966 – Rodney Mullen, American skateboarder and stuntman
• 1966 – Don Sweeney, Canadian ice hockey player and manager
• 1967 – David Conrad, American actor
• 1967 – Michael Preetz, German footballer and manager
• 1968 – Andriy Kuzmenko, Ukrainian singer-songwriter (died 2015){{cite news |last1=Trach |first1=Nataliya |title=Ukrainian pop star dies in car accident |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/10529 |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=Kyiv Post |date=2 February 2015}}
• 1968 – Ed McCaffrey, American football player and sportscaster
• 1968 – Helen McCrory, English actress (died 2021){{cite news |last1=Coveney |first1=Michael |title=Helen McCrory obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/apr/18/helen-mccrory-obituary |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=18 April 2021}}
• 1969 – Christian Laettner, American basketball player and coach
• 1969 – Kelvin Mercer, American rapper, songwriter and producer
• 1969 – Donnie Wahlberg, American singer-songwriter, actor and producer{{cite Grove |last1=Conn |first1=Stephanie |title=New Kids on the Block |date=3 September 2014 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2267337}}
• 1970 – Jim Courier, American tennis player and sportscaster
• 1970 – Andrus Kivirähk, Estonian author
• 1970 – Øyvind Leonhardsen, Norwegian footballer and coach
• 1971 – Uhm Jung-hwa, South Korean singer and actress
• 1971 – Jorge Posada, Puerto Rican-American baseball player
• 1971 – Shaun Rehn, Australian footballer and coach
• 1972 – Habibul Bashar, Bangladeshi cricketer
• 1974 – Giuliana Rancic, Italian-American journalist and television personality
• 1974 – Johannes Maria Staud, Austrian composer{{cite Grove |last1=Ender |first1=Daniel |title=Staud, Johannes Maria |date=9 September 2009 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.2082392}}
• 1976 – Eric Boulton, Canadian ice hockey player
• 1976 – Geertjan Lassche, Dutch journalist and director
• 1976 – Serhiy Zakarlyuka, Ukrainian footballer and manager (died 2014)
• 1977 – Nathan Deakes, Australian race walker
• 1977 – William Gallas, French footballer
• 1977 – Thierry Henry, French footballer
• 1977 – Mike Lewis, Welsh guitarist
• 1977 – Tarja Turunen, Finnish singer-songwriter and producer
• 1979 – Antwaan Randle El, American football player and journalist
• 1979 – Nicole Sunitsch, Austrian politician{{cite web|url=https://www.parlament.gv.at/person/30665|title=Nicole Sunitsch (aktiv)|publisher=Austrian Parliament|language=de}}
• 1980 – Keith Dabengwa, Zimbabwean cricketer
• 1980 – Daniel Güiza, Spanish footballer
• 1980 – Jan Kromkamp, Dutch footballer
• 1980 – Lene Marlin, Norwegian singer-songwriter
• 1982 – Phil Jagielka, English footballer
• 1982 – Cheerleader Melissa, American wrestler and manager
• 1982 – Mark Salling, American actor and musician (died 2018)
• 1983 – Dustin Pedroia, American baseball player
• 1984 – Dee Brown, American basketball player
• 1984 – Oksana Domnina, Russian ice dancer
• 1984 – Liam Heath, British sprint canoeist{{cite web|title=Liam Heath|url=http://www.olympic.org/liam-heath/|publisher=International Olympic Committee|access-date=27 June 2020}}
• 1984 – Garrett Wolfe, American football player
• 1985 – Yū Aoi, Japanese actress and model
• 1986 – Rudy Gay, American basketball player
• 1986 – Tyrus Thomas, American basketball player
• 1988 – Brady Corbet, American actor and director
• 1988 – Jihadi John, Kuwaiti-British member of ISIS (died 2015)
• 1988 – Natalie Sandtorv, Norwegian singer-songwriter
• 1988 – Erika Toda, Japanese actress
• 1989 – Lil B, American rapper{{cite web |last1=Madden |first1=Sidney |title=Happy Birthday, Lil B! |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/happy-birthday-lil-b/ |publisher=XXL |access-date=15 August 2023 |date=17 August 2015}}
• 1989 – Rachel Corsie, Scottish footballer{{cite web |title=Rachel Corsie {{!}} Scotland {{!}} Scottish FA |url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/players/?pid=74263&lid=2 |website=www.scottishfa.co.uk |access-date=28 April 2020}}
• 1990 – Rachel Hurd-Wood, English actress{{cite news|title=Aug. 17 celebrity birthdays|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2012/08/17/aug-17-celebrity-birthdays/|work=The Orange County Register|date=17 August 2012|access-date=25 January 2024}}
• 1991 – Austin Butler, American actor{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Mike |title=Today's famous birthdays list for August 17, 2022 includes celebrities Taissa Farmiga, Robert DeNiro |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/08/todays-famous-birthdays-list-for-august-17-2022-includes-celebrities-taissa-farmiga-robert-deniro.html |website=The Plain Dealer |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=15 August 2023 |date=17 August 2022}}
• 1992 – Saraya Bevis, English wrestler
• 1992 – Alex Elisala, New Zealand-Australian rugby player (died 2013)
• 1992 – Chanel Mata'utia, Australian rugby league player
• 1992 – Maru Teferi, Israeli marathon runner{{Cite web|url=https://worldathletics.org/athletes/israel/maru-teferi-14526757|title=Maru TEFERI | Profile | World Athletics|website=worldathletics.org}}
• 1993 – Ederson Moraes, Brazilian footballer
• 1993 – Sarah Sjöström, Swedish swimmer
• 1993 – Xie Zhenye, Chinese athlete{{Cite web|url=https://worldathletics.org/athletes/pr-of-china/zhenye-xie-14376449|title=Zhenye XIE | Profile | World Athletics|website=worldathletics.org}}
• 1994 – Phoebe Bridgers, American singer/songwriter
• 1994 – Jack Conklin, American football player{{cite web |title=Jack Conklin |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2979534/jack-conklin |publisher=ESPN |access-date=15 August 2023}}
• 1994 – Taissa Farmiga, American actress
• 1995 – Gracie Gold, American figure skater
• 1995 – Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, New Zealand rugby league player
• 1996 – Jake Virtanen, Canadian ice hockey player
• 2000 – Lil Pump, American rapper and songwriter
• 2003 – Nastasja Schunk, German tennis player{{Cite web |title=Nastasja Schunk {{!}} Player Stats & More – WTA Official |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/players/329366/nastasja-schunk |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=Women's Tennis Association}}
• 2003 – The Kid Laroi, Australian rapper and songwriter{{cite tweet |author=charlton |user=thekidlaroi |number=1294551414425804801 |date=15 August 2020 |title=My bday is actually on the 17th da Internet is a lie|access-date=10 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815082922/https://twitter.com/thekidlaroi/status/1294551414425804801 |archive-date=15 August 2020 |url-status=live}}

• 754 – Carloman, mayor of the palace of Austrasia
• 949 – Li Shouzhen, Chinese general and governor
• 1153 – Eustace IV, Count of Boulogne (born 1130)
• 1304 – Emperor Go-Fukakusa of Japan (born 1243)
• 1324 – Irene of Brunswick (born 1293)
• 1338 – Nitta Yoshisada, Japanese samurai (born 1301)
• 1424 – John Stewart, Earl of Buchan (born c. 1381)
• 1510 – Edmund Dudley, English politician, Speaker of the House of Commons (born 1462){{cite ODNB |last1=Gunn |first1=S. J. |title=Dudley, Edmund (c. 1462–1510), administrator and speaker of the House of Commons |date=27 May 2010 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/8147}}
• 1510 – Richard Empson, English statesman{{cite ODNB |last1=Condon |first1=M. M. |title=Empson, Sir Richard (c. 1450–1510), administrator and speaker of the House of Commons |date=17 September 2015 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/8799}}
• 1547 – Katharina von Zimmern, Swiss sovereign abbess (born 1478){{cite book|first1=Christine|last1=Christ-von Wedel|first2=Irene|last2=Gysel|first3=Jeanne|last3=Pestalozzi|first4=Marlis|last4=Stähli|title=Die Äbtissin, der Söldnerführer und ihre Töchter: Katharina von Zimmern im politischen Spannungsfeld der Reformationszeit|location=Zürich|publisher=Theologischer Verlag Zürich|year=2020|language=DE|page=317|isbn=978-3-29018-255-7}}

• 1673 – Regnier de Graaf, Dutch physician and anatomist (born 1641)
• 1676 – Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen, German author (born 1621)
• 1720 – Anne Dacier, French scholar and translator (born 1654)
• 1723 – Joseph Bingham, English scholar and academic (born 1668){{cite ODNB |last1=Handley |first1=Stuart |title=Bingham, Joseph (bap. 1668, d. 1723), ecclesiastical historian |date=3 October 2013 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/2410}}
• 1768 – Vasily Trediakovsky, Russian poet and playwright (born 1703)
• 1785 – Jonathan Trumbull, English-American merchant and politician, 16th Governor of Connecticut (born 1710){{cite ANB |last1=Grossbart |first1=Stephen R. |title=Trumbull, Jonathan (1710-1785), merchant and governor of Connecticut |date=February 2000 |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0100900}}
• 1786 – Frederick the Great, Prussian king (born 1712){{cite book |last1=Reddaway |first1=William F. |title=Frederick the Great and the Rise of Prussia |date=1908 |publisher=G. P. Putnam's Sons |location=New York |pages=346–347}}
• 1809 – Matthew Boulton, English businessman and engineer, co-founded Boulton and Watt (born 1728){{citation | last = Uglow | first = Jenny | author-link = Jenny Uglow | year = 2002 | title = The Lunar Men: Five Friends Whose Curiosity Changed the World | publisher = Faber & Faber | location = London | isbn = 978-0-374-19440-6 | page = [https://archive.org/details/lunarmenfivefrie00uglo/page/495 495] | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/lunarmenfivefrie00uglo/page/495 }}
• 1814 – John Johnson, English architect and surveyor (born 1732)
• 1834 – Husein Gradaščević, Ottoman general (born 1802)
• 1838 – Lorenzo Da Ponte, Italian playwright and poet (born 1749)
• 1850 – José de San Martín, Argentinian general and politician, 1st President of Peru (born 1778)
• 1861 – Alcée Louis la Branche, American politician and diplomat, 1st United States Ambassador to Texas (born 1806)
• 1870 – Perucho Figueredo, Cuban poet and activist (born 1818)
• 1875 – Wilhelm Bleek, German linguist and anthropologist (born 1827)
• 1897 – William Jervois, English engineer and diplomat, 10th Governor of South Australia (born 1821){{cite ODNB |last1=Kinross |first1=John S. |title=Article Jervois, Sir William Francis Drummond (1821–1897), army officer |date=21 May 2009 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/14800}}

• 1901 – Edmond Audran, French organist and composer (born 1842){{cite book |last1=Letellier |first1=Robert Ignatius |title=Operetta: A Sourcebook, Volume I |date=5 October 2015 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=978-1-4438-8425-9 |page=281 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z5jWCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA281}}
• 1903 – Hans Gude, Norwegian-German painter and academic (born 1825){{cite journal |last1=Haverkamp |first1=Ernst |title=Gude, Hans Fredrik |journal=Oxford Art Online |date=2003 |doi=10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.T035369}}
• 1908 – Radoje Domanović, Serbian satirist and journalist (born 1873)
• 1909 – Madan Lal Dhingra, Indian activist (born 1883){{cite news |last1=Jagga |first1=Raakhi |title=Who was Madan Lal Dhingra, freedom fighter hanged at 24 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/madan-lal-dhingra-8896635/ |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Indian Express |date=17 August 2023}}
• 1918 – Moisei Uritsky, Russian activist and politician (born 1873)
• 1920 – Ray Chapman, American baseball player (born 1891)
• 1924 – Tom Kendall, English-Australian cricketer and journalist (born 1851)
• 1925 – Ioan Slavici, Romanian journalist and author (born 1848)
• 1935 – Adam Gunn, American decathlete (born 1872)
• 1935 – Charlotte Perkins Gilman, American sociologist and author (born 1860){{cite book|first=Lynne E.|last=Ford|title=Encyclopedia of Women and American Politics|location=New York|publisher=Facts on File|year=2007|isbn=978-0-81605-491-6|page=209}}
• 1936 – José María of Manila, Spanish-Filipino priest and martyr (born 1880)
• 1940 – Billy Fiske, American soldier and pilot (born 1911){{cite web |title=Day by day: 17 August 1940 |url=https://www.battleofbritainmemorial.org/learn/the-battle-of-britain/day-by-day/#17-august-1940 |website=The Battle of Britain Memorial |access-date=14 August 2020 |quote=Today say the death of Pilot Officer Billy Fiske of No 601 Squadron, one of the American volunteers to fly with the RAF in the Battle. Fiske's Hurricane had been hit by return fire from a Ju 87 over Bognor Regis the day before and had forced-landed back at Tangmere on fire. At the time the airfield was being bombed, but groundcrew carried him clear. He had appeared to be recovering in hospital before his death from burns and shock. |archive-date=23 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923000423/https://www.battleofbritainmemorial.org/learn/the-battle-of-britain/day-by-day/#17-august-1940 |url-status=dead }}
• 1945 – Reidar Haaland, Norwegian police officer and soldier (born 1919)
• 1949 – Gregorio Perfecto, Filipino journalist, jurist, and politician (born 1891)
• 1958 – Arthur Fox, English-American fencer (born 1878)
• 1966 – Ken Miles, English race car driver and engineer (born 1918)
• 1969 – Otto Stern, German physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1888){{cite journal |last1=Toennies |first1=J.P. |last2=Schmidt-Böcking |first2=H. |last3=Friedrich |first3=B. |last4=Lower |first4=J.C.A. |title=Otto Stern (1888–1969): The founding father of experimental atomic physics |journal=Annalen der Physik |date=20 December 2011 |volume=523 |issue=12 |pages=1045–1070 |doi=10.1002/andp.201100228|arxiv=1109.4864 }}
• 1970 – Rattana Pestonji, Thai director and producer (born 1908)
• 1971 – Maedayama Eigorō, Japanese sumo wrestler, the 39th Yokozuna (born 1914)
• 1971 – Wilhelm List, German field marshal (born 1880)
• 1973 – Conrad Aiken, American novelist, short story writer, critic, and poet (born 1889)
• 1973 – Jean Barraqué, French pianist and composer (born 1928){{cite Grove |last1=Griffiths |first1=Paul |title=Barraqué, Jean |date=2001 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.02103}}
• 1973 – Paul Williams, American singer and choreographer (born 1939){{cite news |title=Former Temptations Singer Found Dead |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-paul-williams-death/22970797/ |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=Detroit Free Press |date=19 August 1973 |via=Newspapers.com |page=67}}
• 1977 – Delmer Daves, American screenwriter, director and producer (born 1904){{cite news |title=SERVICES TOMORROW FOR DELMER L DAVES |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/19/archives/services-tomorrow-for-delmer-l-daves-motion-picture-producer-writer.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=19 August 1977}}
• 1979 – John C. Allen, American roller coaster designer (born 1907)
• 1979 – Vivian Vance, American actress and singer (born 1909){{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Cecil |title=From the Archives: Comedienne Vivian Vance Dies at 66 |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/archives/la-me-vivian-vance-19790818-snap-story.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=18 August 1979}}
• 1983 – Ira Gershwin, American songwriter (born 1896){{cite Grove |last1=Bordman |first1=Gerald |last2=Hischak |first2=Thomas S. |title=Gershwin, Ira |date=2001 |doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.45732}}
• 1987 – Gary Chester, Italian drummer and educator (born 1924)
• 1987 – Rudolf Hess, German soldier and politician (born 1894){{cite news |title=Rudolf Hess Is Dead in Berlin; Last of the Hitler Inner Circle |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/18/obituaries/rudolf-hess-is-dead-in-berlin-last-of-the-hitler-inner-circle.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=18 August 1987}}
• 1987 – Shaike Ophir, Israeli actor and screenwriter (born 1929){{cite news |title=Shaike Ophir Dead at 58 |url=https://www.jta.org/archive/shaike-ophir-dead-at-58 |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |date=20 March 2015}}
• 1988 – Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Pakistani general and politician, 6th President of Pakistan (born 1924){{cite journal |last1=Umar |first1=Ghulam |title=[News of President General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq's Death] |journal=Pakistan Horizon |date=1988 |volume=41 |issue=3 |pages=i–v |jstor=41393865 |issn=0030-980X}}
• 1988 – Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr., American lawyer and politician (born 1914)
• 1988 – Victoria Shaw, Australian actress (born 1935){{cite news |title=Victoria Shaw, model who went to Hollywood |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-victoria-shaw/22018429/ |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=19 August 1988 |via=Newspapers.com |page=4}}
• 1990 – Pearl Bailey, American actress and singer (born 1918){{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=John S. |title=Pearl Bailey, Musical Star and Humorist, Is Dead at 72 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/08/19/obituaries/pearl-bailey-musical-star-and-humorist-is-dead-at-72.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=19 August 1990}}
• 1993 – Feng Kang, Chinese mathematician and academic (born 1920)
• 1994 – Luigi Chinetti, Italian-American race car driver and businessman (born 1901){{cite news |last1=Siano |first1=Joseph |title=Luigi Chinetti Sr., 93, Automobile Importer and Champion Racer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/20/obituaries/luigi-chinetti-sr-93-automobile-importer-and-champion-racer.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=20 August 1994}}
• 1994 – Jack Morrison, Australian rugby league player (born 1905){{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/jack-morrison/summary.html|title=Jack Morrison - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org}}
• 1994 – Jack Sharkey, American boxer and referee (born 1902){{cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Robert Mcg, Jr |title=Jack Sharkey, Boxing Champion, Dies at 91 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/19/obituaries/jack-sharkey-boxing-champion-dies-at-91.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=19 August 1994}}
• 1995 – Howard E. Koch, American playwright and screenwriter (born 1902){{cite news |last1=Gussow |first1=Mel |title=Howard Koch, a Screenwriter For 'Casablanca,' Dies at 93 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/18/obituaries/howard-koch-a-screenwriter-for-casablanca-dies-at-93.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=18 August 1995}}
• 1995 – Ted Whitten, Australian footballer and coach (born 1933){{cite AuDB | first=John |last=Lack |id2=whitten-edward-james-ted-27937 |title=Edward James (Ted) Whitten (1933–1995) |volume=19 |date=2021}}
• 1998 – Władysław Komar, Polish shot putter and actor (born 1940){{cite news |title=PLUS: TRACK AND FIELD; Two Polish Athletes Killed in Car Crash |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/19/sports/plus-track-and-field-two-polish-athletes-killed-in-car-crash.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=19 August 1998}}
• 1998 – Tadeusz Ślusarski, Polish pole vaulter (born 1950)
• 2000 – Jack Walker, English businessman (born 1929)
• 2004 – Thea Astley, Australian author and educator (born 1925){{cite news |title=Thea Astley |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1470360/Thea-Astley.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Telegraph |date=28 August 2004}}
• 2005 – John N. Bahcall, American astrophysicist and academic (born 1934){{cite news |last1=Overbye |first1=Dennis |title=John N. Bahcall, 70, Dies; Astrophysicist at Princeton |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/19/nyregion/john-n-bahcall-70-dies-astrophysicist-at-princeton.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=19 August 2005}}
• 2006 – Shamsur Rahman, Bangladeshi poet and journalist (born 1929){{cite news |last1=Radice |first1=William |title=Shamsur Rahman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2006/sep/15/culture.obituaries |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=15 September 2006}}
• 2007 – Bill Deedes, English journalist and politician (born 1913){{cite news |last1=Ingrams |first1=Richard |title=Lord Deedes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/aug/18/guardianobituaries.obituaries1 |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=17 August 2007}}
• 2007 – Eddie Griffin, American basketball player (born 1982)
• 2008 – Franco Sensi, Italian businessman and politician (born 1926)
• 2010 – Francesco Cossiga, Italian lawyer and politician, 8th President of Italy (born 1928){{cite news |last1=Sassoon |first1=Donald |title=Francesco Cossiga obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/18/francesco-cossiga-obituary |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=18 August 2010}}
• 2012 – Aase Bjerkholt, Norwegian politician, Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion (born 1915)
• 2012 – Victor Poor, American engineer, developed the Datapoint 2200 (born 1933){{cite news |last1=Markoff |first1=John |title=Victor Poor, Who Helped Create Early Intel Chips, Dies at 79 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/20/technology/victor-poor-intel-computer-chip-innovator-dies-at-79.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=19 August 2012}}
• 2012 – Patrick Ricard, French businessman (born 1945){{cite news |last1=Hevesi |first1=Dennis |title=Patrick Ricard, Who Expanded Spirits Company, Dies at 67 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/24/business/global/patrick-ricard-expanded-spirits-company-dies-at-67.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=24 August 2012}}
• 2012 – John Lynch-Staunton, Canadian lawyer and politician (born 1930){{Canadian Parliament links|ID=4329|nolist=yes|2=The Hon. John Lynch-Staunton, Senator}}
• 2013 – Odilia Dank, American educator and politician (born 1938){{cite news |title=Former Okla. lawmaker dies at 74 after cancer |url=https://www.normantranscript.com/news/former-okla-lawmaker-dies-at-74-after-cancer/article_1b0ae510-9468-52ad-9539-f8abf061e501.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=Norman Transcript |agency=The Associated Press |date=20 August 2013}}
• 2013 – Jack Harshman, American baseball player (born 1927){{cite web |last1=Gabcik |first1=John |title=Jack Harshman |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/jack-harshman/ |publisher=Society for American Baseball Research |access-date=16 August 2024}}
• 2013 – John Hollander, American poet and critic (born 1929)
• 2013 – David Landes, Jewish-American historian and economist (born 1924){{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/08/us/david-s-landes-historian-and-author-is-dead-at-89.html |title=David S. Landes, Historian and Author, Is Dead at 89 |date=7 September 2013 |access-date=7 October 2023 |last=Martin |first=Douglas |work=The New York Times}}
• 2013 – Frank Martínez, American painter (born 1924)
• 2013 – Gus Winckel, Dutch lieutenant and pilot (born 1912)
• 2014 – Børre Knudsen, Norwegian minister and activist (born 1937)
• 2014 – Wolfgang Leonhard, German historian and author (born 1921){{cite news |title=Wolfgang Leonhard - obituary |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11087532/Wolfgang-Leonhard-obituary.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Telegraph |date=10 September 2014}}
• 2014 – Sophie Masloff, American civil servant and politician, 56th Mayor of Pittsburgh (born 1917){{cite news |last1=McFadden |first1=Robert D. |title=Sophie Masloff, Ex-Mayor of Pittsburgh, Dies at 96 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/18/us/sophie-masloff-ex-mayor-of-pittsburgh-dies-at-96.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=18 August 2014}}
• 2014 – Miodrag Pavlović, Serbian poet and critic (born 1928)
• 2014 – Pierre Vassiliu, French singer-songwriter (born 1937)
• 2015 – Yvonne Craig, American ballet dancer and actress (born 1937){{cite news |last1=Bergan |first1=Ronald |title=Yvonne Craig obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/aug/23/yvonne-craig |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=23 August 2015}}
• 2015 – Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder, German businessman (born 1933){{cite news |title=Former German football association chief Mayer-Vorfelder dead |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/former-german-football-association-chief-mayer-vorfelder-dead-115081800764_1.html |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=Business Standard |agency=IANS |date=18 August 2015}}
• 2015 – László Paskai, Hungarian cardinal (born 1927){{cite news |title=Cardinal Paskai, Hungarian Church leader, dies at 88 |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/cardinal-paskai-hungarian-church-leader-dies-at-88/ |access-date=16 August 2024 |work=The Catholic Herald |agency=Catholic News Service |date=18 August 2015}}
• 2016 – Arthur Hiller, Canadian actor, director, and producer (born 1923){{Cite news |last=Kehr |first=Dave |date=2016-08-17 |title=Arthur Hiller, 'Love Story' Director and Box-Office Magnet, Dies at 92 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/18/movies/arthur-hiller-dead.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |work=The New York Times}}
• 2024 – Virginia Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie, British countess (born 1933){{Cite web |last=Times |first=The |date=2024-08-21 |title=Virginia, Countess of Airlie obituary: lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/virginia-countess-of-airlie-obituary-lady-of-the-bedchamber-to-elizabeth-ii-0s89hmrjs |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=The Times}}
• 2024 – Silvio Santos, Brazilian media mogul and television host (born 1930){{Cite news |last=Lvares |first=Y.Dbora |date=2024-08-17 |title=Brazilian entertaining legend Silvio Santos dies at 93 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ap-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-rio-de-janeiro-jair-bolsonaro-santos-b2597817.html |access-date=2024-08-17 |work=Independent}}

• Christian feast day:
• Saint Beatrice of Silva
• Saint Clare of Montefalco{{cite book |last1=Watkins |first1=Basil |title=The Book of Saints: A Comprehensive Biographical Dictionary |date=2015-11-19 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-0-567-66456-3 |page=145 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kE6TCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA145}}
• Saint Hyacinth of Poland{{cite web |title=Saint Hyacinth of Poland |url=https://dominicans.ie/saint-hyacinth-of-poland/ |website=dominicans.ie |date=17 August 2010 |access-date=10 June 2021}}
• Saint Jeanne Delanoue{{cite book |last1=Howell |first1=Kenneth J. |last2=Crownwood |first2=Joseph |title=Mystery of the Altar: Daily Meditations on the Eucharist |date=2021-01-29 |publisher=Emmaus Road Publishing |isbn=978-1-949013-71-9 |page=108 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K-MXEAAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PA108}}
• Saint Mammes of Caesarea
• Samuel Johnson, Timothy Cutler, and Thomas Bradbury Chandler (Episcopal Church){{cite book |last1=Publishing |first1=Church |title=A Great Cloud of Witnesses |date=2016-10-01 |publisher=Church Publishing, Inc. |isbn=978-0-89869-963-0 |page=419 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3uUlDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT419}}
• August 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
• Engineer's Day (Colombia)
• Independence Day, celebrates the independence proclamation of Indonesia from Japan in 1945.

{{reflist}}

{{commons}}

• {{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/17 |title=On This Day |publisher=BBC}}
• {{NYT On this day|month=08|day=17}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.onthisday.com/events/august/17 |title=Historical Events on August 17 |publisher=OnThisDay.com}}

{{months}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:August 17}}

Category:Days of August