On this day

17 July in history.

5 moments from 1850 to 1992: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Lyra constellation map

1850

The first photo of a star. At Harvard, William Bond and John Whipple photographed Vega, the first star other than the Sun ever photographed.

Wikipedia: Vega

Photo: Lyra_constellation_map.png : Torsten Bronger derivative work: Kxx ( talk ) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

More from 17 July

  1. The logo of Harvard University – private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts (official coat of arms of Harvard)

    1867

    A dental school at Harvard

    Harvard opened the first dental school linked to a university in the United States.

    Wikipedia: Harvard School of Dental Medicine

    Photo: Harvard University / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. Douglas Corrigan

    1938

    Wrong Way Corrigan

    Douglas Corrigan took off from New York, supposedly for California, and landed in Ireland. He said his compass had misled him.

    Wikipedia: Douglas Corrigan

    Photo: Harris & Ewing, photographer / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. Ancient Olympia, Greece. Photo taken with Nokia N8 (12 Megapixel). Αρχαία Ολυμπία. Φωτογραφία που τράβηξα με το Nokia N8

    1948

    The "relay of peace"

    The Olympic torch was lit in Olympia for a relay to London, for the first Games after the war.

    Wikipedia: 1948 Summer Olympics torch relay

    Photo: John Karakatsanis from Athens, Greece / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

  4. Greater Manchester's Metrolink tram number 3009A, in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, England

    1992

    Trams return to Manchester

    Manchester Metrolink opened, the first modern tram system running through city streets in Britain.

    Wikipedia: Manchester Metrolink

    Photo: Tom Page / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

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