What Happened on August 17

Music

1959 — Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue' Sets Jazz on a New Course

Columbia's modal masterwork from the Davis sextet is already a landmark, with critics praising its scale-based approach.

The control room at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York was hushed as Miles Davis lifted his horn. In two sessions, March 2 and April 22, the trumpeter and his sextet cut a record that has already become a landmark. Columbia has released the result as Kind of Blue, an album built entirely on modality, with Davis handing each player a set of scales to improvise upon rather than conventional chord changes.

Joining Davis are saxophonists John Coltrane and Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley, pianist Bill Evans, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb. The opening track, 'So What,' moves through 16 bars of D Dorian, eight bars of E-flat Dorian, and eight more of D Dorian, its spare, unhurried melody setting the album's meditative tone.

Critics have already hailed Kind of Blue as one of the most critically acclaimed jazz recordings of all time, and early sales suggest it will be among the best-selling. The album's quiet revolution lies in its abandonment of bebop's dense chord sequences for a freer, modal approach that gives soloists room to breathe. In the months since the sessions, word of the record has spread through the jazz world, with musicians and fans alike debating its implications. Davis, known for his restless reinvention, has said little, letting the music speak. For now, the grooves are spinning in shops across the country, and the sound of a new direction in jazz is filling the air.

• Kind of Blue was recorded at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York City in two sessions on March 2 and April 22, 1959.
• The sextet featured saxophonists John Coltrane and Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley, pianist Bill Evans, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb.
• Davis gave each performer a set of scales to improvise on, basing the album entirely on modality.
• Kind of Blue is generally stated to be the best-selling jazz album of all time.
• The first track 'So What' is set in the Dorian mode and consists of 16 bars of D Dorian, followed by eight bars of E♭ Dorian and another eight of D Dorian.

Books

1945 — Orwell's 'Animal Farm' Satirizes Soviet Rule

A satirical tale against Stalin, written between November 1943 and February 1944, reaches the British public today.

A biting allegory of Soviet totalitarianism reaches the British public today, as Secker and Warburg publishes George Orwell's Animal Farm. Written between November 1943 and February 1944, during the wartime alliance with Moscow, the book uses farm animals to mock the Stalinist regime. Orwell called it 'a satirical tale against Stalin,' a label he used in a letter to the French writer Yvonne Davet.

The manuscript, first titled 'Animal Farm: A Fairy Story,' was turned down by several British and American publishers, including Victor Gollancz, before finding a home.

• Animal Farm was first published in England on 17 August 1945 by Secker and Warburg.
• Orwell wrote the book between November 1943 and February 1944, during the UK's wartime alliance with the Soviet Union.
• The manuscript was initially rejected by several British and American publishers, including Victor Gollancz.
• Orwell described Animal Farm as 'a satirical tale against Stalin' in a letter to French writer Yvonne Davet.
• The original title was 'Animal Farm: A Fairy Story'; American publishers dropped the subtitle in 1946.

Far East Desk

1945 — Indonesia Proclaims Independence; Revolt Against Dutch Begins

Sukarno and Hatta read declaration in Jakarta, setting off a national struggle for freedom.

In the great convulsion that has followed Japan's surrender, the peoples of Southeast Asia are seizing the moment to claim their own futures. This morning at 10 o'clock Tokyo time in Jakarta, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed the independence of Indonesia, a declaration that ignites a revolution against the Dutch Empire.

The two nationalist leaders signed the document on behalf of the Indonesian people, and already they have been appointed president and vice-president, to be sworn in tomorrow. The proclamation marks the opening of the Indonesian National Revolution, a struggle that promises to be long and bloody before the Netherlands relinquishes its centuries-old hold on the archipelago.

• The proclamation was read at 10:00 Tokyo Standard Time on Friday, 17 August 1945 in Jakarta.
• The document was signed by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, who were appointed president and vice-president the following day.
• The declaration marked the start of the Indonesian National Revolution against the Netherlands, which lasted until 1949.
• The date of the proclamation was made a public holiday by a government decree issued on 18 June 1946.

Olympic Games

2008 — Phelps Makes History With Eighth Gold

The 23-year-old American won his eighth gold medal in the men's 100-meter butterfly, edging Milorad Čavić by 0.01 seconds in a 50.58-second Olympic record.

Michael Phelps touched the wall and looked up at the scoreboard, and for the first time in these Games, he let himself smile. With a victory in the men's 100-meter butterfly final, the 23-year-old American won his eighth gold medal of the Beijing Olympics, breaking Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven first-place finishes at a single Games.

Phelps won the race by a fingertip, edging Serbia's Milorad Čavić by 0.01 seconds in a new Olympic record time of 50.58 seconds. The Serbian team filed a protest after the finish, but FINA upheld the result, confirming Phelps's victory.

Earlier in the meet, Phelps had dominated the 200-meter freestyle, winning his third straight Olympic title in that event with a world record of 1:42.96. His margin of 1.89 seconds was the largest in the event's Olympic history, a gap that has not been matched since. The eight golds, achieved across six days of racing, have made Phelps the most decorated single-Games athlete in history, surpassing a record that had stood for 36 years. His haul includes victories in the 400-meter individual medley, 200-meter butterfly, and three relay events, all delivered with the same relentless efficiency. As he stood on the medal podium, the anthem playing, Phelps had done what no one else had ever done, and he did it with a race that came down to the touch.

• Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games by edging Serbia's Milorad Čavić by 0.01 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly.
• Phelps set a new Olympic record of 50.58 seconds in the men's 100-meter butterfly final.
• Phelps broke fellow American Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven first-place finishes at a single Olympic Games.
• Phelps won the men's 200-meter freestyle with a world record time of 1:42.96, his third straight gold in that event.
• The Serbian team filed a protest after the 100-meter butterfly final, but FINA upheld Phelps's victory.

War Desk

1943 — Roosevelt, Churchill Meet at Quebec; Plan Invasion of France

Allies set May 1, 1944, target for Operation Overlord as Sicily falls in 38 days.

Thirty-eight days after the first Allied soldier waded ashore in Sicily, the island has fallen, and here at the Citadelle and Château Frontenac, President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill have agreed to strike at the heart of Europe. Their secret conference, code-named Quadrant, produced a decision to begin planning the invasion of France, Operation Overlord, with a target date of May 1, 1944. The two leaders also signed the Quebec Agreement, pledging that nuclear technology would never be used against one another without consent. An invasion of Italy is set for September 3. The conference chose to bypass and isolate Rabaul, fulfilling General MacArthur's plan to neutralize that fortress in New Britain.

• The conference, codenamed Quadrant, took place in Quebec City on August 17–24, 1943, at the Citadelle and the Château Frontenac.
• The Allies agreed to begin planning the invasion of France, codenamed Operation Overlord, with a target date of May 1, 1944.
• Churchill and Roosevelt signed the Quebec Agreement, stating nuclear technology would never be used against one another without consent.
• Canadian sergeant major Émile Couture found a leather portfolio containing nearly complete plans for Operation Overlord after the conference.
• News arrived of the fall of Sicily to Allied forces in just 38 days, and an invasion of Italy was set for September 3, 1943.

Aviation

1978 — Double Eagle II Lands in France, First Balloon to Cross Atlantic

Three-man crew completes 137-hour flight from Maine to Miserey, near Paris.

The balloon Double Eagle II became the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean, landing today in Miserey, France, near Paris, 137 hours after leaving Presque Isle, Maine. The three-man crew, led by Ben Abruzzo, completed the 5,000-mile journey that had eluded all previous balloonists. The flight began August 11 and ended safely in a field outside the French capital. The achievement settles a century-old challenge that had claimed the lives of earlier adventurers. The crew was reported in good spirits after the long voyage.

• Double Eagle II becomes first balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean when it lands in Miserey, France near Paris, 137 hours after leaving Presque Isle, Maine.

White House

1998 — Clinton Admits 'Improper' Relationship With Lewinsky

President says he misled people about affair with former intern.

In taped testimony before a grand jury, President Clinton admitted he had an "improper physical relationship" with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Hours later, addressing the nation, he said he "misled people" about the relationship.

• 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.

Maritime

1977 — Soviet Icebreaker Arktika Reaches North Pole

Atomic vessel completes historic Arctic voyage.

The North Pole, long the exclusive realm of ice and explorers on foot, has been reached by a surface ship for the first time. The Soviet nuclear-powered icebreaker Arktika smashed through the polar ice cap, a feat that opens new possibilities for Arctic shipping and research.

• The Soviet icebreaker Arktika becomes the first surface ship to reach the North Pole.

Foreign Desk

1999 — Quake Devastates Northwestern Turkey

A 7.6-magnitude quake kills at least 17,118 and injures thousands.

The century's deadliest seismic disaster struck Turkey when a 7.6-magnitude earthquake ripped through the northwest early Tuesday, leveling towns and leaving the nation in shock. With a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), the temblor killed 17,118 to 17,127 people and injured 43,953 to 50,000 more.

• The 7.6 Mw İzmit earthquake shakes northwestern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), leaving 17,118–17,127 dead and 43,953–50,000 injured.

Pacific Bureau

1976 — Moro Gulf Tsunami Kills Thousands

Tidal wave devastates Mindanao coast, leaving 90,000 homeless.

The sea itself turned killer off Mindanao when a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck beneath the Moro Gulf, hurling a tsunami that swept away coastal villages. Between 5,000 and 8,000 people died, and more than 90,000 lost their homes, according to officials tallying the catastrophe.

• A magnitude 7.9 earthquake hits off the coast of Mindanao, Philippines, triggering a destructive tsunami, killing between 5,000 and 8,000 people and leaving more than 90,000 homeless.

Marine Intelligence

1807 — Fulton's Steamboat Makes Historic Run

North River Steamboat completes first commercial voyage on the Hudson.

The world's first commercial steamboat service began today as Robert Fulton's North River Steamboat left New York City for Albany, traveling up the Hudson River. The vessel, powered by steam, covered the distance without sail or oar, a feat that astonished onlookers along the banks.

• Robert Fulton's North River Steamboat leaves New York City for Albany, New York, on the Hudson River, inaugurating the first commercial steamboat service in the world.

Music and Drama

1876 — Wagner's Ring Cycle Concludes at Bayreuth

Götterdämmerung, final opera of the Ring, premieres at Festspielhaus.

Richard Wagner's Götterdämmerung, the concluding opera of his monumental Ring cycle, received its world premiere tonight at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus. The performance, attended by a distinguished audience, brought to a close a project decades in the making.

• Richard Wagner's Götterdämmerung, the last opera in his Ring cycle, premieres at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus.