Fact 1: World Emoji Day
Did you know? July 17 has been globally recognized as World Emoji Day! This international holiday was first celebrated in 2014 after being created by Emojipedia. The chosen date ties back to the original Apple emoji design which displayed July 17 on the calendar emoji icon.
Fact 2: Independence Day for Slovakia
July 17 carries historical significance for Slovakia as well, as it is their Constitution Day, commemorating the adoption of their first constitution in 1992. This solidified their independence after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia.
Fact 3: Born on This Day
Famous celebrities like Donald Sutherland, David Hasselhoff and Angela Merkel all share July 17 as their birthday. A variety of talents and perspectives celebrate their special day on July 17.
Fact 4: Humorous Holidays
Did you know that July 17 is also celebrated as National Yellow Pig Day in the United States? The holiday originally started as a math joke among two mathematicians studying the number 17, and has now become a day to celebrate the peculiar creature known as the Yellow Pig.
Fact 5: Frozen Delights
If you're a fan of desserts, July 17 has something for you as well. National Peach Ice Cream Day is celebrated on this day, giving everyone a good excuse to enjoy a delicious treat to beat the summer heat.
Fact 6: A Day of Disaster
On a less positive note, July 17 is infamous due the fact that the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down on this date in 2014 over Ukraine, causing a global shockwave as all 298 people on board were killed instantly.
Fact 7: A Strategic Battle
For history buffs, July 17 is also known as the day of the Battle of Castillon in 1453. This decisive victory ended the Hundred Years War between England and France.
Fact 8: A Milestone in Human Rights
In 1998, July 17 marked a huge step forward for human rights globally. On this day, the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court, was adopted. This marked a significant move towards global justice.
Fact 9: Birth of Disneyland
Walt Disney’s original theme park, Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955. Today, it attracts millions of visitors each year from all over the world.
Fact 10: National Tattoo Day
In the United States, July 17 is also National Tattoo Day. This day appreciates and celebrates the history, culture, and artists dedicated to etching ink permanently on skin.
Fact 11: Spanish Civil War Commemoration
Historically, the Spanish Civil War began on July 17, 1936. Spain often acknowledges this date to remember an event that had a profound impact on the nation's history.
Fact 12: Revolutionary Book Publication
July 17, 2003 marked a milestone for the Harry Potter franchise. The fifth book, 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix', was published on this day and sold an unprecedented 5 million copies in the first 24 hours.
Fact 13: Chart-topping Hits
Music lovers might be interested to know that July 17, 1967 marked the day that "Light My Fire" by The Doors hits #1 on the Billboard charts, showcasing the band's success and prestige.
Fact 14: International Justice Day
Due to the significance of the Rome Statute adoption, July 17 is also celebrated as International Justice Day, underscoring the importance of upholding and enforcing international law.
Fact 15: Flight Innovations
In 1902, the Wright Brothers set up camp at Kitty Hawk on July 17. This spot would later become the site of the first successful airplane flight.
Fact 16: Historic Sporting Achievements
On July 17, 1941, Joe DiMaggio achieved his longest hitting streak at 56 games. This record in Major League Baseball still stands today, cementing DiMaggio's legacy as a baseball legend.
Fact 17: Launch of Crazy Frog
The infamous and somewhat annoying character, Crazy Frog, debuted as a ringtone on July 17, 2004. The tone became a global sensation and even made its way onto music charts.
Fact 18: Syringe Invention
We owe modern vaccinations to the date July 17. In 1891, the first patent for a syringe that could be operated with one hand was granted.
Fact 19: Athletic Goals
In the realm of soccer, Lionel Messi set the record for the most goals in a calendar year on July 17, 2012, a highlight in his esteemed career.
Fact 20: Tied to Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola brand is synonymous with international franchising and branding success. Interestingly, on July 17, 1985, Coca Cola announced it would resume selling the old formula of Coke, just 79 days after releasing New Coke, due to public backlash. The incident is now studied as a major marketing blunder.
In conclusion, July 17 holds a vast array of historical, cultural, and entertaining significance, spanning a multitude of aspects from global politics to dessert consumption. This date truly has a myriad of fun and interesting facts to celebrate and remember.