August 17th is known as Thrift Shop Day and Black Cat Appreciation Day.
Younes Abouyaaqoub drove a van into pedestrians on La Rambla in Barcelona, Spain, killing 14 people and injuring at least 130 others.
American swimmer Michael Phelps became the first person to win eight gold medals at one Olympic Games.
Three Americans made the first successful Atlantic Ocean crossing by hot air balloon.
A law was passed declaring that the 'Palestinian Pound' could be used as legal tender in Palestine and Israel.
A tropical cyclone hurricane hit Galveston in Texas.
The Bank of Italy opened in San Francisco, California, and would later become Bank of America.
William B. Purvis patented the electric switch on railways that would shut off the electric supply after carriages pass the contact device.
Asaph Hall discovered Mars' second moon, called Phobos.
Balloonist John Wise started the world's first airmail service by balloon from Lafayette to Crawfordsville, Indiana.
Charles Reed Bishop founded First Hawaiian Bank and opened its first branch in Honolulu.
Solymon Merrick patented the wrench tool.
The Clermont steamboat by Robert Fulton made its maiden trip up the Hudson River.
King Charles IX of France became an adult on his 13th birthday.
Pope Leo II became the bishop of Rome.
