8/17/2017:
Today in history, By the Treaty of Abo, Sweden cedes southeast Finland to Russia, ending Sweden’s failed war with Russia in 1743.
Today in history, Napoleon Bonaparte‘s army defeats the Russians at the Battle of Smolensk during the Russian retreat to Moscow in 1812.
Today in history, The first steam ship to cross the Atlantic entirely on its own power, the Canadian ship Royal William (see picture below), begins her journey from Nova Scotia to The Isle of Wight in 1833.
Today in history, Union gunboats attack Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, for the first time in 1863.
Today in history, Upon hearing confirmation that Japan has surrendered, Sukarno proclaims Indonesia’s independence in 1945.
Today in history, Three Americans complete the first crossing of the Atlantic in a balloon in 1978.