In History, Today on September 17

Israel holds its second general election of the year after the April election failed to result in a government formation.

Scotland holds a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom, with 55% voting to remain part of the UK.

A gunman kills 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., before being shot dead by police.

The Occupy Wall Street movement begins with a protest in Zuccotti Park, New York City, against economic inequality and corporate influence in politics.

The U.S. Federal Reserve authorizes an emergency loan to American International Group (AIG), effectively nationalizing the insurance giant amid the global financial crisis, in an effort to stave off a collapse that could cause widespread financial instability.

The 2006 Thailand coup d'état is initiated, during which the Royal Thai Army stages a coup against the government of then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra while he is in New York City for a United Nations General Assembly meeting.

Hurricane Ivan makes its third landfall in the U.S., inflicting additional damage primarily on Florida, after previously affecting Grenada where it caused significant destruction and is noted as one of the most powerful hurricanes of the season.

The New York Stock Exchange reopens for trading after the September 11 attacks, marking the longest closure since the Great Depression.

The Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage, an important component of international climate policy, holds significant discussions at this time.

The first meeting of the South African parliament following its country's first non-racially framed election convenes.

The first version of the Linux kernel (0.01) is released to the Internet by Linus Torvalds.

The Solidarity movement in Poland was officially recognized by the Polish government, marking a significant moment in the struggle for workers' rights and political reform in Eastern Europe.

The Camp David Accords were signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

NASA publicly unveils its first space shuttle, Enterprise, in Palmdale, California.

The world's first retractable dome stadium, the Civic Arena, opens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Ardnacrusha Power Station on the River Shannon in Ireland begins its official operations.

Operation Market Garden, an Allied military operation during World War II, began with the goal of capturing bridges in the Netherlands.

The Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east during World War II, following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with Nazi Germany.

Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge became the first person to die in an airplane crash, during a demonstration flight piloted by Orville Wright.

The Sino-Japanese War saw its first major land engagement at the Battle of Pyongyang, resulting in a decisive victory for Japanese forces over Qing China.

The Nez Perce War effectively came to an end with the surrender of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce tribes. This was marked by Chief Joseph's famous speech stating, 'I will fight no more forever.'

The Battle of Antietam, also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg, was fought during the American Civil War, marking the bloodiest single-day battle in American history.

Swiss citizens accept the Swiss Federal Constitution, leading to the creation of the modern Swiss Confederation.

In the War of 1812, the British assault on Fort McHenry ends with its defense inspiring Francis Scott Key to write 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'

The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, is destroyed in a fire.

The United States Constitution was signed by delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

The American Revolutionary War sees the Battle of Fort St. Jean, a significant early conflict between Colonial and British forces in Quebec.

The city of Boston, Massachusetts was founded by Puritan colonists.

The Treaty of Bergerac was signed, which intended to restore peace between the Huguenots and the French Catholics within the Kingdom of France. This treaty allowed the Huguenots certain privileges and continued the efforts toward religious tolerance initiated by the Edict of Saint-Germain in 1570.

The Treaty of Conflans was signed between Charles VII of France and the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good. This treaty ended part of the disputes arising from the Hundred Years' War, with the Duchy of Burgundy reaffirming its loyalty to the French crown while gaining considerable territorial concessions.

King Charles VI of France ordered the expulsion of all Jews from France.

The Battle of Myriokephalon took place, where the Byzantine Empire, led by Emperor Manuel I Komnenos, was defeated by the Seljuk Turks under Qilij Arslan II.

The Battle of Thimeon occurred, where the Frankish forces under Charles the Fat defeated the Viking raiders, marking a significant victory in the Carolingian efforts to repel Viking invasions.

The Battle of Maserfield took place, where Penda of Mercia defeated and killed Oswald of Northumbria, leading to significant shifts in power among the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.