Events that occurred on June 17 throughout history
The Travelers Insurance Co of Hartford becomes the first chartered accident insurer and sold it's first policy for two-cents within a year.
The Statue of Liberty arrives in the New York Harbor disassembled into 350 individual pieces and packed into 214 crates. Because there were not enough funds to complete the pedestal, Liberty remained stored in crates for months while more funds were raised to complete the base she would sit on.
President William McKinley signed an act of Congress establishing the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps. The act act professionalized naval medicine by organizing a dedicated, formally trained enlisted medical force to support U.S. Sailors and Marines.
The College Board introduces its first standardized test, laying the foundation for the SAT.
Amelia Earhart leaves Newfoundland as a passenger and becomes the first woman to fly over the Atlantic. She tended the flight log while flying.
World War I vets gather at the U.S. to hear the Senate consider a bill that would give them benefits. The Senate rejected the bill by a decisive vote of 62 to 18, prompting the angry veterans to build shantytowns until their benefits were paid.
Dr. Richard Lawler performed a kidney transplant at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park in Chicago, Illinois.
The U.S. government's "War on Drugs" initiative is formally launched for better drug control, prevention, and enforcement in the country.
The body of the 12th President of the U.S., President Zachary Taylor, is exhumed. The exhumation was to test for poison after historians speculated he may have been assassinated. The results come back that he died of natural causes.
O. J. Simpson is arrested for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
President Joe Biden signs Juneteenth National Independence Day into law. The law as the first new federal holiday designated in the U.S. since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created in 1983.
People born on June 17
Actor fondly remembered for his role as John Walton Sr. on the television series The Walton.
Actress known for her role as Tabitha in Bewitched.
Professional baseball center fielder and left fielder known as "the Louisville Slugger".
Also known as Stringbean, David is best known for his role as a main cast member on the hit television show Hee Haw and as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Member of the Omaha tribe who is widely acknowledged as one of the first Indigenous people, and the first Indigenous woman, to earn a medical degree.
Musician and co-founder of the rock bands Santana and Journey.
Archaeologist who made significant discoveries about the Incan's.
Considered the creator of the chocolate chip cookie.
Admiral and inventor of the Momsen Lung, the submarine rescue device.
legendary singer of hits like Looks Like We Made It, Mandy, and Copacabana (At the Copa).