June 17 in History: Statue of Liberty Arrives, Watergate Break-In, and Juneteenth Becomes a Federal Holiday

Scott Winters June 17, 2026 1 Comment

Discover what happened on June 17 in history, from iconic American landmarks and political scandals to major legal decisions, scientific milestones, and the establishment of America’s newest federal holiday.

What Happened on June 17 in History?

Important events on this day include the arrival of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, the Watergate break-in that sparked one of America’s biggest political scandals, President Nixon declaring the War on Drugs, and Juneteenth officially becoming a federal holiday.

JUNE 17 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1837 – Charles Goodyear received his first patent. The patent was for a process that made rubber easier to work with.

1856 – The Republican Party opened its first national convention in Philadelphia, PA.

1861 – President Abraham Lincoln witnessed Dr. Thaddeus Lowe demonstrate the use of a hydrogen balloon.

1872 – George M. Hoover began selling whiskey in Dodge City, KS. It had been a dry town up until this point.

1876 – Under the leadership of Crazy Horse, General George Crook’s command was attacked and defeated on the Rosebud River by 1,500 Sioux and Cheyenne Indians.

1879 – Thomas Edison received an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the trustees of Rutgers College in New Brunswick, NJ.

1885 – The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York, NY aboard the French ship Isere.

1901 – The College Board introduced it’s first standardized test, the forerunner to the SAT.

1928 – Amelia Earhart began the flight that made her the first woman to successfully fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

1930 – The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Bill became law. It placed the highest tariff on imports to the U.S.

1941 – WNBT-TV in New York City, NY, was granted the first construction permit to operate a commercial TV station in the U.S.

1942 – “Yank”, a weekly magazine for the U.S. armed services, began publication. The term “G.I. Joe” was first used in a comic strip by Dave Breger.

1950 – Dr. Richard H. Lawler performed the first kidney transplant in a 45-minute operation in Chicago, IL.

1962 – Jack Nicklaus defeated Arnold Palmer to win his first professional tournament, the U.S. Open, and won $15,000.

1963 – The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Abington School District v. Schempp that no locality may require recitation of the Lord’s Prayer or Bible verses in public schools.

1971 – President Richard Nixon declared the U.S. War on Drugs.

1972 – Five White House operatives were arrested inside Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate building in Washington DC. It was an attempt by some members of the Republican party to illegally wiretap the opposition.

1982 – Former President Richard M. Nixon was interviewed by Diane Sawyer on “The CBS Morning News.”

1987 – With the death of the last individual of the species, the Dusky Seaside Sparrow became extinct.

1988 – The movie “The Great Outdoors”, starring John Candy and Dan Aykroyd, premiered in theaters.

1994 – After a low speed police pursuit, O.J. Simpson was arrested for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

2002 – Terry Barton, an employee of the Forest Service, was charged with setting the largest wildfire in Colorado history.

2005 – Oprah Winfrey was named the most powerful person in showbiz by “Forbes” magazine.

2007 – Nearly a decade after a civil jury ordered O.J. Simpson to pay more than $33 million for the wrongful deaths of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman, a judge handed the rights to “If I Did It”, Simpson’s aborted book about the murders, to the Goldman family.

2016 – The Pixar animated film, “Finding Dory”, debuted in theaters. It also released the computer-animated short film “Piper”, which went won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

2021 – The Juneteenth National Independence Day, was signed into law by President Joe Biden. It would become the first federal holiday established since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JUNE 17:

Ted Nelson – 89 years old (1937) – Sociologist and philosopher

George Akerlof – 86 years old (1940) – Economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate

Bobby Bell – 86 years old (1940) – Football player

Chuck Rainey – 86 years old (1940) – Bassist

Roger Steffens – 84 years old (1942) – Actor and producer

Newt Gingrich – 83 years old (1943) – Historian and politician, 58th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives

Barry Manilow – 83 years old (1943) – Singer-songwriter and producer

Burt Rutan – 83 years old (1943) – Engineer and pilot

Tommy Franks – 81 years old (1945) – General

Linda Chavez – 79 years old (1947) – Journalist and author

George S. Clinton – 79 years old (1947) – Composer and songwriter

Gregg Rolie – 79 years old (1947) – Rock singer-songwriter and keyboard player

Jacqueline Jones – 78 years old (1948) – Historian and academic

Starhawk – 75 years old (1951) – Author and activist

Joe Piscopo – 75 years old (1951) – Actor, comedian, and screenwriter

Mike Milbury – 74 years old (1952) – Ice hockey player, coach, and manager

Mark Linn-Baker – 72 years old (1954) – Actor and director

Jello Biafra – 68 years old (1958) – Singer-songwriter and producer

Bobby Farrelly – 68 years old (1958) – Director, producer, and screenwriter

Jon Leibowitz – 68 years old (1958) – Lawyer and politician

Daniel McVicar – 68 years old (1958) – Actor

Carol Anderson – 67 years old (1959) – Author and historian

Thomas Haden Church – 66 years old (1960) – Actor

Greg Kinnear – 63 years old (1963) – Actor, television presenter, and producer

Dermontti Dawson – 61 years old (1965) – Football player and coach

Dan Jansen – 61 years old (1965) – Speed skater and sportscaster

Tory Burch – 60 years old (1966) – Fashion designer and philanthropist

Jason Patric – 60 years old (1966) – Actor

Eric Stefani – 59 years old (1967) – Keyboard player and composer

Will Forte – 56 years old (1970) – Actor, comedian, and screenwriter

Jason Hanson – 56 years old (1970) – Football player

Popeye Jones – 56 years old (1970) – Basketball player and coach

Michael Showalter – 56 years old (1970) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter

Joshua Leonard – 51 years old (1975) – Actor, director, and screenwriter

Mark Tauscher – 49 years old (1977) – Football player and sportscaster

Nick Rimando – 47 years old (1979) – Soccer player

Tyson Apostol – 47 years old (1979) – Television personality

Young Maylay – 47 years old (1979) – Rapper, producer, and voice actor

Jeph Jacques – 46 years old (1980) – Author and illustrator

Venus Williams – 46 years old (1980) – Tennis player

Kyle Boller – 45 years old (1981) – Football player

Kendrick Lamar – 39 years old (1987) – Rapper

Amari Cooper – 32 years old (1994) – Football player

Odessa A'zion – 26 years old (2000) – Actress

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JUNE 17:

National Apple Strudel Day: Channel your inner Austrian foodie and try making your own Apple Strudel using apples, brown sugar, vanilla, lemon, cinnamon, flour, and raisins (optional).
National Thank a Teacher Day: Acknowledging educators' dedication, commitment, and impact on shaping minds, fostering a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.
Bunker Hill Day: Bunker Hill Day honors a courageous stand during a key clash in America’s story. It marks a time when a ragtag group of colonists faced a better-trained force and held their ground longer than anyone expected. Their bold defense, though it ended in withdrawal, proved they could confront a powerful army and...
National Mascot Day: National Mascot Day celebrates the spirited characters that bring life and energy to favorite teams, schools, charities, and even businesses. A mascot might be a big-headed animal with perfect dance moves, a costumed character with a talent for slapstick comedy, or a familiar symbol that shows up wherever a crowd...
World Tessellation Day: Try creating your own tessellation using paper, pen, and scissors to help wrap your mind around these strange and fascinating math-based patterns.
Icelandic National Day: Icelandic National Day is a vibrant celebration that fills the streets with joy, music, and pride. It's a day when the entire nation comes together to honor their country's spirit. Flags flutter, and people of all ages dressed in traditional attire join parades. The festive atmosphere captures Iceland's unique character, making...
Islamic New Year: The Islamic New Year, known as El Hijra, has deep spiritual significance for Muslims. Rather than a festive celebration, it marks a reflective moment, inviting personal contemplation and renewal. Many Muslims gather in mosques to pray and listen to sermons. The focus is on strengthening their relationship with God and setting...
National Eat Your Vegetables Day: Focus on getting ample veggies in your diet, and improve your overall health and well-being. Consider growing your own veggies for extra satisfaction.
Waste & Recycling Workers Week: Give a big thanks to the men and women who keep your community sanitary and hygienic on Garbage Man Day, or Waste & Recycling Workers Week.
National Stewart’s Root Beer Day: A frothy mug of root beer, the taste so bold and sweet, bubbles tickling your nose, it's the perfect treat for any day of the week!
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: Imagine a world where the land stays healthy, rivers and wells keep flowing, and farms can count on steady harvests instead of crossed fingers. That hopeful picture sits at the heart of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, an international observance that spotlights a problem many people do...
World Croc Day: World Croc Day shines a light on one of nature’s most misunderstood creatures. Crocodiles have ruled rivers and swamps for millions of years, yet many people see them only as threats. In reality, they play a key role in keeping ecosystems balanced. By controlling prey populations and shaping waterways, they...
Scleroderma Awareness Week: Scleroderma Awareness Week is a special time dedicated to shedding light on a little-known but impactful disease. This week aims to bring attention to scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes hardening and tightening of the skin and other connective tissues. The week encourages conversations about the challenges faced by...
Animal Rights Awareness Week: Animal Rights Awareness Week is a significant event celebrated every year during the third week of June. This week is dedicated to educating people about the importance of animal rights globally. It provides a platform to discuss how animals are unfairly used in industries such as entertainment, cosmetics, and science...
Learning Disability Week: Understanding diverse learning needs empowers educators to create inclusive environments where every student can thrive and succeed.