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

June 17

Discover what happened on June 17 with HISTORY&#8217;s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

What Happened on June 17 | HISTORY

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1885

French Marshal and Vichy leader Henri-Philippe Petain (1856 - 1951, left) and Nazi leader Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945, right) share the famous 'handshake at Montoire' while interpreter Colonel Schmidt watches, October 1940. Thus Petain announces officially that Vichy-France is prepared to collaborate with the German Reich.

2015

1940

1972

1994

1976

1900

1943

1876

1953

The “shot heard round the world”—the opening salvo of the American Revolution, fired at the Battles of Lexington and Concord—got 1775 off with a bang. Before the year was out, the Second Continental Congress had appointed George Washington to command the troops and Benjamin Franklin to run the post office. Meanwhile in France, King Louis XVI was crowned, likely unaware that he’d one day face his own revolution—and the guillotine.

1775

America’s Founding Fathers decided that one elected civilian—the U.S. president—would lead the executive branch of the federal government, a governmental structure that has remained in place for more than 200 years.

U.S. Presidents

Native American history spans an array of diverse groups and leaders, including Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Tecumseh, and events like the Trail of Tears, the French and Indian War and the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Native American History

Crime has been a dark and powerful undercurrent in human society throughout history. Uncover the facts behind some of the most daring robberies, brazen scams and brutal murders ever committed.

Crime

Sports and recreation are an integral part of human history, from the ancient Olympics to the Kentucky Derby, Jackie Robinson, Negro League Baseball, the Super Bowl and more.

Sports

The Revolutionary War waged by the American colonies against Britain influenced political ideas and revolutions around the globe, as a small fledgling nation won its freedom from the greatest military force of its time.

American Revolution

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History.com Editors

World War II was the biggest and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries. Sparked by the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, the war dragged on for six bloody years until the Allies defeated the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Japan and Italy in 1945. Explore the battles, leaders and atrocities from the war and its impact on geopolitics and humankind.

World War II

Landmarks and monuments, the physical record of human civilization, include spectacular structures like the Eiffel Tower, Mount Rushmore, the Panama Canal, the Brooklyn Bridge and more.

Landmarks

The Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union lasted for decades and resulted in anti-communist suspicions and international incidents that led two superpowers to the brink of nuclear disaster.

This Day In History: June 17

Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor

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Charleston church shooting

This Day in History Video: What Happened on June 17

France signals intention to surrender to the Nazis

Watergate burglars arrested

O.J. Simpson leads L.A. police on a low‑speed chase

NBA merges with ABA

Future President Hoover caught in Boxer Rebellion

FDR’s secretary of war stifles Truman’s inquiry into suspicious defense plant

Native Americans score victory at the Battle of the Rosebud

Soviets crush antigovernment riots in East Berlin

Battle of Bunker Hill begins

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