In History, Today on August 17

A suicide bombing at a wedding in Kabul, Afghanistan, kills 63 people and injures over 180. The attack is claimed by ISIS.

A van is driven into pedestrians on La Rambla in Barcelona, Spain, in a terrorist attack claimed by ISIS, resulting in 13 deaths and over 100 injuries.

Three members of the Russian feminist punk rock band Pussy Riot are sentenced to two years in prison for hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, following their protest performance in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Michael Phelps wins his eighth gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, breaking the record for the most gold medals won by an individual in a single Olympic Games.

U.S. President Bill Clinton admits in taped testimony that he had an "improper physical relationship" with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

The first compact discs (CDs) were released to the public in Germany, marking a significant advancement in digital audio technology.

The Double Eagle II became the first balloon to successfully cross the Atlantic Ocean, landing in Miserey, France, after a 137-hour flight from Presque Isle, Maine.

Venera 7, a Soviet spacecraft, is launched. It later becomes the first spacecraft to successfully transmit data from the surface of another planet, Venus.

Hurricane Camille, a Category 5 storm, makes landfall along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, causing extensive damage and resulting in over 250 deaths.

East German border guards kill Peter Fechter, an 18-year-old bricklayer, as he attempts to cross the Berlin Wall into West Berlin, sparking international outrage.

The newly formed Republic of Gabon achieves independence from France.

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake strikes Montana, triggering a huge landslide that causes significant destruction and the formation of Quake Lake.

Indonesia declares its independence from the Netherlands, with Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaiming the country's independence.

The Allies complete the conquest of Sicily during World War II, marking the end of the Italian Campaign's first phase.

The first public performance of the Dominican Republic's national anthem, "Himno Nacional," took place. The anthem's music composed by José Reyes and the lyrics written by Emilio Prud'Homme were officially adopted three years later.

The Dakota War of 1862 begins as Dakota Sioux warriors attack settlements in Minnesota, leading to a six-week conflict with significant casualties on both sides.

The Clermont, Robert Fulton's first American steamboat, begins its first successful trip up the Hudson River from New York City to Albany.

Quasi-War: The U.S. frigate USS Constellation captures the French privateer ship La Vengeance off the coast of Saint-Domingue.

The first known Druid revival ceremony is conducted by John Toland at Primrose Hill in London, England.

A Spanish fleet under the command of Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés departs from Spain to establish a colony in Florida, leading to the founding of St. Augustine.

The Treaty of Edinburgh is ratified by Mary, Queen of Scots, marking the end of the Auld Alliance between France and Scotland and the withdrawal of French troops from Scotland.

King Richard II of England surrendered to his cousin, the future Henry IV, marking a significant event in the lead-up to the Lancaster takeover of the English throne.

The Treaty of Oderzo was signed on August 17, 1186, by the Republic of Venice and the Byzantine Empire. This treaty solidified Venetian trading rights within the Byzantine territories, reflecting the complex political and economic relationships between the two powerful entities during the medieval period.

Byzantine–Bulgarian Wars: The Byzantine army under Emperor Basil II is defeated in the Battle of the Gates of Trajan by the forces of Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria.