Robert Fulton's steamboat, the Clermont, began its trip up the Hudson River to Albany." class="wp-simple-rss-link">August 17, 1807: Robert Fulton's steamboat, the Clermont, began its trip up the Hudson River to Albany.
Fort Sumter, S.C. was bombarded by Union ships during the Civil War." class="wp-simple-rss-link">August 17, 1863: Fort Sumter, S.C. was bombarded by Union ships during the Civil War.
Alaska, a discovery that set off the Klondike gold rush." class="wp-simple-rss-link">August 17, 1896: Prospectors found gold in Alaska, a discovery that set off the Klondike gold rush.
Indonesian nationalists proclaimed independence from the Netherlands." class="wp-simple-rss-link">August 17, 1945: Indonesian nationalists proclaimed independence from the Netherlands.
Berlin Wall, spurring riots." class="wp-simple-rss-link">August 17, 1962: 18-year-old Peter Fechter was shot and killed by guards at the Berlin Wall, spurring riots.
Hurricane Camille devastated the Gulf Coast, killing 248 people." class="wp-simple-rss-link">August 17, 1969: Hurricane Camille devastated the Gulf Coast, killing 248 people.
balloon flight landed outside of Paris." class="wp-simple-rss-link">August 17, 1978: The first successful trans-Atlantic balloon flight landed outside of Paris.
Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler's second in command, committed suicide." class="wp-simple-rss-link">August 17, 1987: Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler's second in command, committed suicide.
Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal, breaking the record set by Mark Spitz in the 1972 Games. Phelps also set the record for the most golds in a single Olympics." class="wp-simple-rss-link">August 17, 2008: U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal, breaking the record set by Mark Spitz in the 1972 Games. Phelps also set the record for the most golds in a single Olympics.
More events from This Day in History: August 17
