◆ On this day

June 17

4 sourced moments from June 17 in history: The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor (1885); László Bíró patents the modern ballpoint pen (1943); Iceland declared full independence from Denmark (1944), plus 1 more.

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4 things happened on June 17

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1972 Society & Economy · Politics & Law

The Watergate break-in set a presidency unraveling

Five men with bugging gear were caught inside Democratic headquarters in 1972 — the small crime that would end a presidency.

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1944 Geography · Countries

Iceland declared full independence from Denmark

After centuries under foreign crowns, Icelanders gathered on a windswept plain to proclaim a republic of their own.

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1943 Technology · Inventions

László Bíró patents the modern ballpoint pen

A Hungarian journalist's fix for smudged ink became the writing tool the world now buys by the billion.

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1885 Geography · Landmarks & Wonders

The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor

France's colossal gift sailed into New York in 1885 as a flat-pack — 350 copper pieces nailed into 214 wooden crates.

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