August 17th
- 1839 – Moses Bensinger born.
- 1870 – Joshua Fry Bell died, aged 68.
- 1920 – Vern Bickford born.
- 1920 – Ray Chapman died, aged 29.
- 1928 – Alexander Pope Humphrey died, aged 60.
- 1929 – Francis Gary Powers born.
- 1949 – Bub Asman born.
- 1968 – Steve Hockensmith born.
- 1976 – Matt Anderson born.
- 1986 – Shipwreck Kelly died, aged 76.