17 February in history.

1980

Everest in winter. Polish climbers Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy reached the top of Mount Everest in winter, in bitter cold and fierce winds. No one had done it before.

Wikipedia: Krzysztof Wielicki

Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

More from 17 February

1. 

   1863

   The Red Cross begins

   A small group of citizens in Geneva formed a committee to help soldiers wounded in war. It became the International Committee of the Red Cross.

   Wikipedia: International Committee of the Red Cross

   Photo: International Committee of the Red Cross / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

2. 

   1894

   Diesel's engine runs for a minute

   Rudolf Diesel's first working engine ran on its own power for about one minute. It was the start of the engine that now powers ships, trucks and trains.

   Wikipedia: Rudolf DieselWikipedia: Diesel engine

   Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

3. 

   1913

   Modern art comes to America

   The Armory Show opened in New York. Many visitors saw works by Picasso, Matisse and others for the first time, and argued about them loudly.

   Wikipedia: Armory Show

   Photo: Association of American Painters and Sculptors (New York, N.Y.), organizers of the 1913… / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

4. 

   1959

   The first weather satellite

   Vanguard 2 was launched to measure cloud cover from space. It was an early step toward the weather forecasts we use every day.

   Wikipedia: Vanguard 2Wikipedia: Weather satellite

   Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.