This Day in History: August 17

2008 Michael Phelps Earns his 8th Gold Medal in the 2008 Olympics

The celebrated American swimmer triumphed in the 4x100-meter medley relay race during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. This victory shattered existing records, making him the single Olympian with the most gold medals ever won in one games. The previous record holder was also an American swimmer, Mark Spitz.

1978 Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman complete the world's First Transatlantic Balloon Flight

In the balloon named Double Eagle II, Abruzzo, Anderson, and Newman achieved an extraordinary feat in six days. Taking off from Preque Isle, Maine, they successfully reached a barley field near Paris, marking the completion of the first world's transatlantic balloon flight.

1970 Venera 7 launched by the Soviet Union

As the first spacecraft to land on Venus and relay data back to Earth, Venera 7 marked a significant advancement in space exploration. Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Venera 7 accomplished this milestone mission when it entered the Venusian atmosphere in December 1970.

1960 Gabon gains independence from France

Captured by France in the latter part of the 19th century, Gabon was added to French Equatorial Africa, France's Central African colonies federation, in 1910. From 1934 to 1958, Gabon and the other colonies formed one unified entity under French governance. In 1960, Gabon finally secured its independence.

1590 John White, governor of Roanoke Island, returns to find no trace of the colonists

After 3 years away in England, when John white returned to his colony on Roanoke island, he found it disturbingly deserted. There was no trace of the colonists he had left behind in what has since become one of history's great mysteries.

1903 Joe Pulitzer donates $1 million to Columbia University, beginning the Pulitzer Prizes in America

In a generous act of philanthropy, Joe Pulitzer donated $1 million to the Columbia University. This substantial donation paved the way for the establishment of the Pulitzer Prizes, a prestigious annual awards for achievements in journalism and the arts in America.

1945 Korea is divided into North and South along the 38th parallel

In 1945, the country of Korea was divided into North and South, along the 38th parallel. This division created a significant geographical and political border that still exists today.

1945 Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declare Indonesia independent from the Netherlands

Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, prominent Indonesian nationalists, declared the country's independence from Dutch rule. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in Indonesia's history as a sovereign nation.

1947 The Radcliffe Line, the border between Union of India and Dominion of Pakistan, is revealed

The Radcliffe Line, established in 1947, defines the border between the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. The drawing of this border was a significant event during the partition of India.

1998 The Monica Lewinsky scandal: US President Bill Clinton admits to 'improper physical relationship'

In a scandal that shocked America, President Clinton admitted to having an 'improper physical relationship' with intern Monica Lewinsky during a taped testimony. In a public address on the same day, he confessed to having 'misled people' about the relationship, triggering political and social uproar.