On this day: 17 July

Selected events and births on 17 July, from Wikipedia’s “On this day”.

Events

• 1850 – William Cranch Bond and John Adams Whipple took a daguerreotype of Vega, the first astrophotograph of a star other than the Sun. Read more: William Cranch Bond John Adams Whipple Daguerreotype
• 1948 – In Olympia, Greece, the Summer Olympics torch relay, nicknamed the "relay of peace", began. Read more: Olympia, Greece 1948 Summer Olympics torch relay
• 1992 – The Manchester Metrolink, the first modern street-running light-rail system in the United Kingdom, was officially opened. Read more: Manchester Metrolink Light rail
• 1994 – Brazil won the FIFA World Cup final against Italy 3–2 on penalties, following a 0–0 draw after extra time. Read more: Brazil national football team 1994 FIFA World Cup final Italy national football team

Born on this day

• 1945 – John Patten, Baron Patten, English politician, Secretary of State for Education Read more: John Patten, Baron Patten Secretary of State for Education
• 1947 – Queen Camilla, Queen Consort of King Charles III of the United Kingdom Read more: Queen Camilla Charles III
• 1951 – Andrew Robathan, English soldier and politician, Minister of State for the Armed Forces Read more: Andrew Robathan Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces
• 1954 – Angela Merkel, German chemist and politician, Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021. Read more: Angela Merkel Chancellor of Germany
• 1956 – Julie Bishop, Australian lawyer and politician, 38th Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Read more: Julie Bishop Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)
• 1958 – Thérèse Rein, Australian businesswoman, founded Ingeus Read more: Thérèse Rein Ingeus
• 1961 – António Costa, Portuguese politician, 119th Prime Minister of Portugal Read more: António Costa Prime Minister of Portugal
• 1966 – Sten Tolgfors, Swedish lawyer and politician, 30th Swedish Minister of Defence Read more: Sten Tolgfors Minister for Defence (Sweden)
• 1997 – OG Anunoby, British basketball player Read more: OG Anunoby
• 1998 – Rosana Serrano, Cuban rower Read more: Rosana Serrano
• 2002 – Jordan Lawlar, American baseball player Read more: Jordan Lawlar
• 2005 – Connor Bedard, Canadian ice hockey player Read more: Connor Bedard

Text from Wikipedia: Selected anniversaries / July 17 and the linked articles, via the Wikimedia “On this day” feed, under CC BY-SA 4.0. We leave out entries about wars, violence and disasters to keep this page family-friendly.