At A Glance

17 August 2008 at a glance

Day of the week
17 August 2008 was a Sunday.
ARIA No. 1
The ARIA No. 1 was “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry.
Top Film of 2008
The highest-grossing film worldwide released in 2008 was The Dark Knight.
Best-Selling Vehicle of 2008
Australia's top-selling new vehicle in 2008 was the Holden Commodore.
Star sign
The star sign for 17 August is Leo.
Chinese zodiac
In the Chinese zodiac, 17 August 2008 fell in the Year of the Rat.
Birthstone
The birthstone for August is Peridot.
Moon phase
The moon phase on 17 August 2008 was Full Moon.

On this day: 17 August

  • 1985 The 1985–86 Hormel strike begins in Austin, Minnesota.
  • 1998 Lewinsky scandal: US President Bill Clinton admits in taped testimony that he had an "improper physical relationship" with White House intern Monica Lewinsky; later that same day he admits before the nation that he "misled people" about the relationship.
  • 2004 The National Assembly of Serbia unanimously adopts new state symbols for Serbia: Bože pravde becomes the new anthem and the coat of arms is adopted for the whole country.
  • 2005 The first forced evacuation of settlers, as part of Israeli disengagement from Gaza, starts.
  • 2008 American swimmer Michael Phelps becomes the first person to win eight gold medals at one Olympic Games.

Famous people born on 17 August

  • Robert De Niro, American actor, entrepreneur, director, and producer (born 1943)
  • Phoebe Bridgers, American singer/songwriter (born 1994)
  • Sean Penn, American actor, director, and political activist (born 1960)
  • Larry Ellison, American businessman, co-founded the Oracle Corporation (born 1944)

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Choose your country: the charts, news and leaders change to match.

Events of 2008 in Australia

A selection from Wikipedia's '2008 in Australia'. Not a complete list.

  • 11 January – An Airbus A319 lands at the new Wilkins Runway in the Australian Antarctic Territory, becoming the first passenger flight from Australia to Antarctica.
  • 22 May – Revolutionary Australian forum television programme Q&A broadcasts its first episode.
  • 13 July – Pope Benedict XVI arrives for his first papal visit to Australia, ahead of World Youth Day 2008.

Life in Australia in 2008

Prime Minister

Kevin Rudd

Monarch

Queen Elizabeth II

Petrol (per litre)

$1.40

Loaf of Bread

$2.70

Average House

$400,000

Weekly Wage

$1,155.00

Or

Browse by Year

Famous Faces Born in the 2000s

Well-known people born in the same decade as you, not on your birthday.

Sources: Wikidata and Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

About The Day You Were Born

Ever wondered what was happening in the world when you took your first breath? Our birthday lookup tool reveals the fascinating history of your special day.

About The Birthday Chronicle and where our data comes from →