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Historical events & facts — August 17
What happened on August 17?
On August 17, 1945, Sukarno proclaimed the independence of Indonesia just two days after Japan's surrender, in a brief ceremony held in Jakarta before a small group of witnesses. The Netherlands took four years to recognise it. Indonesia would go on to become the fourth most populous country in the world and the largest Muslim-majority nation.
On August 17, 1973, NASA launched the Pioneer 11 probe, which six years later became the first spacecraft to fly past Saturn and photograph its rings up close. In 1990 it crossed the boundaries of the solar system and continues travelling toward the stars today, though no longer able to communicate with Earth.
On August 17, 1960, Gabon proclaimed its independence from France, becoming one of the countries of the Year of Africa. Despite being one of the most resource-rich countries on the continent, thanks to its oil and manganese reserves, it has maintained for decades one of the most unequal distributions of wealth in Africa.
Notable birthdays — August 17
Famous people born on August 17
Robert De Niro
Robert Anthony De Niro is an American actor and producer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation, he has received various accolades, including two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award as well as nominations for eight BAFTA Awards and four Emmy Awards.
Sean Penn
Sean Justin Penn is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his intense leading man roles in film. His accolades include three Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a British Academy Film Award, and nominations for an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award. He received the Honorary César in 2015 and the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in 2022.
David Koresh
David Koresh was an American cult leader and preacher who played a central role in the Waco siege of 1993. As the head of the Branch Davidians, a religious sect, Koresh claimed to be its final prophet. His apocalyptic Biblical teachings, including interpretations of the Book of Revelation and the Seven Seals, attracted various followers.
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr. was a Jamaican political activist. He was the founder and first President-General of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League, through which he declared himself Provisional President of Africa. Ideologically a black nationalist and Pan-Africanist, Garvey's ideas are known as Garveyism.
Mae West
Mary Jane "Mae" West was an American actress, singer, comedian, screenwriter, and playwright whose career spanned more than seven decades. Recognized as a prominent sex symbol of her time, she was known for portraying sexually confident characters and for her use of double entendres, often delivering her lines in a distinctive contralto voice.
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