This Day In History : March 17

1958 United States

Vanguard 1 Launched to Measure Earth's Shape

On March 17, 1958, the US Navy launched Vanguard 1 into orbit, becoming the second American satellite. This mission aimed to measure Earth's shape and study its atmospheric conditions, contributing valuable data for scientific research.

Also on This Day in History March 17

Discover what happened on March 17 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, March 17
  • 1834 Gottlieb Daimler

    German engineer and inventor who designed 1st motorcycle

  • 1806 Norbert Rillieux

    American chemical engineer and inventor of sugar refiner

  • 1881 Walter Rudolf Hess

    Swiss physiologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology 1949

  • 1939 Robin Knox-Johnston

    English yachtsman who had 1st single non-stop circumnavigation of the globe 1969

  • 1962 Kalpana Chawla

    Indian-American astronaut who was the 1st woman of Indian origin into space

Deaths on This Day, March 17
  • 2007 John Backus

    American computer scientist and inventor of FORTRAN computer language

  • 1950 Adolf Meyer

    American psychiatrist and neurologist who pioneered mental hygiene

  • 1853 Christian Doppler

    Austrian physicist who discovered Doppler effect

  • 1956 Irène Joliot-Curie

    French chemist and physicist who won Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1935 and daughter of Marie Curie

  • 1846 Friedrich Bessel

    German astronomer and mathematician who discovered star parallax, Bessel functions

1941

National Gallery of Art Opens in Washington, D.C.

On March 17, 1941, the National Gallery of Art officially opened its doors in Washington, D.C. The museum, funded by philanthropist Andrew W. Mellon, showcased a vast collection of masterpieces, becoming a premier cultural institution in the United States.
1992

Russian Manned Spacecraft TM-14 Launched into Orbit

On March 17, 1992, the Russian manned spacecraft TM-14 was launched into orbit. The mission was part of Russia's space program, contributing to the ongoing scientific research and operations in space during the post-Soviet era.
1992

Apartheid Ends in South Africa

On March 17, 1992, South Africa officially ended its system of apartheid, a policy of racial segregation and discrimination. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a new era in the country, leading to democratic reforms and the eventual election of Nelson Mandela.
2012

MESSENGER Spacecraft Begins Extended Mission

On March 17, 2012, NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft commenced its extended mission to study Mercury. This phase aimed to provide deeper insights into the planet's geology, magnetic field, and atmosphere, further advancing our understanding of the innermost planet in our solar system.
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