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Famous Fiction Authors
Donna Summer
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My Ghost Story
I Survived
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Johnny Cash
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I Survived
On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
July 17
Events on This Day
-
1945
68 years ago
U.S. President Harry S. Truman, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin meet in Potsdam, Germany, to discuss postwar Europe.
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1955
58 years ago
Walt Disney's 160-acre, $17 million Disneyland park has its grand opening in Anaheim, California.
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1956
57 years ago
Grace Kelly's final film, High Society, premieres. She retires from acting shortly afterward to become the princess consort of Monaco.
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1959
54 years ago
Mary Leakey finds a rare hominid skull in Africa believed to be a human ancestor. The artifact leads to new theories about the origin of civilization.
July 17
Born on This Day
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Camilla Parker BowlesCamilla Parker Bowles
Duchess / 1947 -
Camilla Parker Bowles married Prince Charles in a civil service in 2005. The two had been romantically involved for more than 25 years.
Born: July 17, 1947
Age: 65 years old
Birthplace: London, England
Occupation: Duchess -
Angela Merkel
- In these groups:
- Notable Female Leaders
- Famous Cancerians
- Famous People Born in 1954
Angela Merkel
Political Leader / 1954 -
Angela Merkel is a German politician best known as the first female chancellor of Germany and one of the architects of the European Union.
1954 | 58 years old
Political Leader -
James Cagney
- In these groups:
- Famous Irish-Americans
- Best Actor Oscar Winners
- Oscar-Winning Portrayals
James Cagney
Film Actor / 1899 - 1986
James Cagney was an Academy Award-winning actor who was known for playing gangsters and short-fused tough guys.
1899 | 86 years old
Film Actor -
David Hasselhoff
- In these groups:
- Onscreen Superheroes
- Cast of Dancing with the Stars
- Famous Cancerians
David Hasselhoff
Television Actor / 1952 -
David Hasselhoff is a TV actor who hit it big with two wildly successful shows: Knight Rider and Baywatch.
Born: July 17, 1952
Age: 60 years old
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Occupation: Television Actor -
Phyllis Diller
- In these groups:
- USO Entertainers
- Studio 54 Patrons
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
Phyllis Diller
Film Actress, Comedian, Pianist / 1917 - 2012
First noticed as a contestant on Groucho Marx's game show in 1955, Phyllis Diller went on to become a successful comedian, actress and author.
1917 | 95 years old
Film Actress, Comedian, Pianist -
Art Linkletter
- In these groups:
- Famous Cancerians
- Famous People Named Art
- Famous Television Personalities
Art Linkletter
Radio Personality, Television Personality, Author / 1912 - 2010
Art Linkletter was a family-friendly radio and television personality who incorporated ordinary people into his broadcasts with comic results.1912 | 97 years old
Radio Personality, ...
July 17
Died on This Day
-
Billie Holiday
- In these groups:
- Famous Harlem Residents
- Apollo Legends
- Foremothers of Rock
Billie Holiday
Singer / 1915 - 1959
Billie Holiday was one of the most influential jazz singers of all time. She had a thriving career for many years before she lost her battle with addiction.
Died: July 17, 1959
Age: 44 years old
Place: New York, New York , United States
Occupation: Singer -
Mickey Spillane
- In these groups:
- Famous Pisceans
- Famous Fiction Authors
- Famous People Born in 1918
Mickey Spillane
Author / 1918 - 2006
Mickey Spillane was an American writer of mysteries and pulp fiction. His most famous creation was hard-boiled detective, Mike Hammer.
2006 | 88 years old
Author -
John Coltrane
- In these groups:
- Sober Celebs
- Famous Jazz Musicians
- Famous Libras
John Coltrane
Songwriter, Saxophonist / 1926 - 1967
John Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer, and is an iconic figure of 20th century jazz.
1967 | 40 years old
Songwriter, Saxophonist -
Walter Cronkite
- In these groups:
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
- Celebrity Deadheads
- Famous Scorpios
Walter Cronkite
News Anchor, Journalist / 1916 - 2009
Walter Cronkite was a lifelong news man who became the voice of the truth for America as a nighttime anchorman.Died: July 17, 2009
Age: 92 years old
Place: New York, New York , United States
Occupation: News Anchor, Journalist -
Ty Cobb
- In these groups:
- Baseball Nicknames
- Famous Lefties
- Famous Sagittarians
Ty Cobb
Baseball Player / 1886 - 1961
Ty Cobb was a Hall of Fame professional baseball player known for his toughness and for being a fierce competitor.1961 | 74 years old
Baseball Player -
Dizzy Dean
- In these groups:
- Famous Lookalikes
- Baseball Nicknames
- Famous Capricorns
Dizzy Dean
Baseball Player / 1911 - 1974
Dizzy Dean was a Major League Baseball pitcher who led the St. Louis Cardinals to World Series victory in 1937.
1974 | 63 years old
Baseball Player
Email Updates
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Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.
Play Nowprofile name: Camilla Parker Bowles profile occupation: Duchess
profile id: 9406424
profile name: Angela Merkel profile occupation: Political Leader
profile id: 9234550
profile name: James Cagney profile occupation: Film Actor
profile id: 15423924
profile name: David Hasselhoff profile occupation: Television Actor
profile id: 9542308
profile name: Phyllis Diller profile occupation: Film Actress, Comedian, Pianist
profile id: 9542345
profile name: Art Linkletter profile occupation: Radio Personality, ...
profile id: 9341902
profile name: Billie Holiday profile occupation: Singer
profile id: 9490694
profile name: Mickey Spillane profile occupation: Author
profile id: 9254106
profile name: John Coltrane profile occupation: Songwriter, Saxophonist
profile id: 9262057
profile name: Walter Cronkite profile occupation: News Anchor, Journalist
profile id: 9251847
profile name: Ty Cobb profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 9268853
profile name: Dizzy Dean profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 9511121
profile name: Harry S. Truman profile occupation: U.S. President
profile id: 9248164
profile name: Winston Churchill profile occupation: Prime Minister
profile id: 9491723
profile name: Joseph Stalin profile occupation: Dictator
profile id: 9275533
profile name: Walt Disney profile occupation: Entrepreneur
profile id: 9362226
profile name: Grace Kelly profile occupation: Princess
profile id: 9376051
profile name: Mary Leakey profile occupation: Anthropologist
profile id: 9308922
profile name: George V profile occupation: King
profile id: 41055
profile name: Billy Martin profile occupation: Coach
profile id: 9351402
profile name: Reggie Jackson profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 9453198
profile name: Ronald Reagan profile occupation: U.S. Governor
profile id: 9525244
profile name: Tom Watson profile occupation: Athlete
profile id: 37588
profile name: Steve Forbes profile occupation: Business Leader
profile id: 39534
profile name: Rosalyn S. Yalow profile occupation: Physicist
profile id: 7284
profile name: Omar Epps profile occupation: Television Actor
profile id: 23018
profile name: Jon Lovitz profile occupation: Television Actor
Your Connections
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Upcoming Birthdays
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Steve Forbes
- In these groups:
- Famous Cancerians
- Famous People Named Steve
- Famous People Born in 1947
Steve Forbes
Business Leader / 1947 -
Steve Forbes is a publishing executive of the business magazine Forbes and a two-time candidate for the nomination of the Republican Party for U.S. president.
July 18, 1947
Business Leader -
Rosalyn S. Yalow
- In these groups:
- Hair Dos and Don'ts
- Famous Academics
- Famous Cancerians
Rosalyn S. Yalow
Academic, Physicist / 1921 -
Rosalyn S. Yalow was a Nobel Prize-winning medical physicist who conducted groundbreaking research on type II diabetes.
July 19, 1921
Physicist -
Omar Epps
- In these groups:
- Famous Cancerians
- Famous Actors
- Famous Film Actors
Omar Epps
Film Actor, Television Actor / 1973 -
Actor Omar Epps is best known as Dr. Eric Foreman on the TV show House, but his first role was in the film Juice opposite Tupac Shakur.July 20, 1973
Television Actor -
Jon Lovitz
- In these groups:
- Cast of Saturday Night Live
- Famous Cancerians
- Famous Actors
Jon Lovitz
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor, Comedian / 1957 -
Comedian and actor John Lovitz was part of the Saturday Night Live cast for five years, during which time he created memorable characters like Hanukkah Harry.
July 21, 1957
Television Actor
Famous Cancerians
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Albert Brooks
- In these groups:
- Actors Turned Directors
- Famous Cancerians
- Famous Actors
Albert Brooks
Film Actor, Television Actor, Comedian, Director / 1947 -
For 40 years, Actor and comedian Albert Brooks has worked steadily in Hollywood, appearing both in other people's movies and in his own self-directed projects.
July 22, 1947
Film Actor, Television Actor, Comedian, Director -
Omar Epps
- In these groups:
- Famous Cancerians
- Famous Actors
- Famous Film Actors
Omar Epps
Film Actor, Television Actor / 1973 -
Actor Omar Epps is best known as Dr. Eric Foreman on the TV show House, but his first role was in the film Juice opposite Tupac Shakur.July 20, 1973
Film Actor, Television Actor
