On this day, September 17 - Know what happened today in history

Today In history, September 17

September 17 marks several significant historical events, from diplomatic milestones to extraordinary achievements in sports. On this day, treaties were signed that shaped world politics, and remarkable individuals were born and passed away, leaving behind legacies in their respective fields.

Historical Events on September 17

1978: Camp David Accords Signed
The Camp David Accords were signed by Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. This historic agreement laid the groundwork for the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, a pivotal step toward Middle Eastern peace.

1939: First 10,000-Metre Run Under 30 Minutes
Finnish runner Taisto Mäki made history by running the 10,000 meters in less than 30 minutes. Mäki clocked an impressive 29 minutes and 52 seconds, breaking his own record.

1894: Japan Defeats China in the Battle of the Yalu River
A day after Japan's victory at Pyongyang, they secured another win in the Battle of the Yalu River. Also known as the Battle of the Yellow Sea, this conflict was a major engagement in the First Sino-Japanese War.

1862: Bloodiest Single Day of the American Civil War
The Battle of Antietam, fought in Sharpsburg, Maryland, is known as the deadliest single day of the American Civil War. With around 4,000 soldiers killed, the battle ended Confederate General Robert E. Lee's incursion into the North. Although the outcome was inconclusive, many saw the Union's ability to hold the battlefield as a strategic victory.

1809: Treaty of Fredrikshamn Signed
The Treaty of Fredrikshamn, also known as the Treaty of Hamina, ended the Finnish War between Sweden and Russia. Sweden ceded territories, which later formed Finland, to Russia as part of the treaty.

Notable Births on September 17

• 1985: Tomáš Berdych, accomplished Czech tennis player
• 1975: Jimmie Johnson, legendary American race car driver
• 1923: Hank Williams, influential American singer-songwriter and guitarist
• 1915: M. F. Husain, celebrated Indian painter and director
• 1879: Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, notable Indian politician and social activist

• 1997: Red Skelton, iconic American actor and comedian
• 1996: Spiro Agnew, controversial 39th Vice President of the United States
• 1994: Karl Popper, esteemed Austrian-English philosopher
• 1948: Ruth Benedict, pioneering American anthropologist
• 1179: Hildegard of Bingen, revered German saint, philosopher, and composer