December 17

What happened on December 17 in history

6 events fall on December 17, from 1790 to 2010. Read them below, then try to place a historical scene yourself — guess where in the world it happened and in what year.

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Events on December 17

  1. 1790

    The Aztec calendar stone is unearthed

    Workers find the monolith beneath Mexico City's main square.

    Play the Exploration & revolution round

  2. 1819

    Gran Colombia is proclaimed

    Bolivar's republic is declared at Angostura.

    Play the 19th century round

  3. 1903

    The Wright brothers fly

    Twelve seconds at Kitty Hawk begin powered flight.

    At Kill Devil Hills near Kitty Hawk, the Wright Flyer made four powered flights, the first lasting twelve seconds and 120 feet. What made it aviation rather than luck was three-axis control: the brothers had solved steering in the air, not just lift. Their bicycle shop's wind tunnel data underpinned the whole design.

    Source: US National Park Service — Wright Brothers

    Read about Wright Brothers' First Powered FlightPlay the 20th century round

  4. 1969

    Project Blue Book closes

    The US Air Force ends its UFO investigation.

    Play the 20th century round

  5. 1989

    The Simpsons begins

    The first full-length episode airs on Fox.

    Play the 20th century round

  6. 2010

    The Arab Spring begins

    A street vendor sets himself alight in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia.