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.
In History, Today on August 17
Today we explore events from the year 1560 to the year 2019. Events span the globe, from the countries of France, Russia, Afghanistan, United States, Germany, Kazakhstan, China, Scotland, Spain, Italy, Indonesia.
1560
Edinburgh, Scotland
1585
Cadiz, Spain
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.
1807
New York City, United States
The Clermont, Robert Fulton's first American steamboat, begins its first successful trip up the Hudson River from New York City to Albany.
1862
Acton, United States
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.
1943
Sicily, Italy
The Allies complete the conquest of Sicily during World War II, marking the end of the Italian Campaign's first phase.
1945
Jakarta, Indonesia
Indonesia declares its independence from the Netherlands, with Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaiming the country's independence.
1962
Berlin, Germany
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.
1970
Baikonur, Kazakhstan
Venera 7, a Soviet spacecraft, is launched. It later becomes the first spacecraft to successfully transmit data from the surface of another planet, Venus.
1978
Miserey, France
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.
1982
Hanover, Germany
The first compact discs (CDs) were released to the public in Germany, marking a significant advancement in digital audio technology.
2008
Beijing, China
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.
2012
Moscow, Russia
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.
2017
Barcelona, Spain
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.
2019
Kabul, Afghanistan
A suicide bombing at a wedding in Kabul, Afghanistan, kills 63 people and injures over 180. The attack is claimed by ISIS.