Washington, United States. A series of notable events took place on June 17 across the 20th and early 21st centuries, spanning diplomacy, politics, sport, archaeology and civil rights.
International agreement in 1925
In 1925, 29 countries signed the Geneva Protocol, prohibiting the use of poisonous gases in war.
Criminal case in 1994
In 1994, former Hall of Fame football star O.J. Simpson was arrested following two murders.
Sports milestone in 1996
In 1996, French cyclist Jeannie Longo broke the women’s world cycling record.
Election result in Bulgaria in 2001
In 2001, a two-month-old movement led by former King Simeon II won Bulgaria’s parliamentary election, making him the first and so far only former monarch in eastern Europe to enter active politics in his homeland.
Archaeological discovery in Egypt in 2002
In 2002, Egypt’s top antiquities official announced that archaeologists had found the world’s oldest intact sarcophagus, about 4,500 years old, near the pyramids of Giza.
Death of Fritz Walter in 2002
Also in 2002, Fritz Walter, captain of the West German team that won the 1954 soccer World Cup, died at the age of 81.
Record attempt in Berlin in 2005
In 2005, participants attempted to set a world record for the biggest Monopoly field in Berlin.
Emergency government in 2007
In 2007, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas swore in an emergency government after dismissing the Hamas-led government following the Islamist group’s violent takeover of Gaza in the previous week.
Same-sex marriage in California in 2008
In 2008, California saw its first full day of legal same-sex marriage.
