What Happened on August 17, 1936

Historical Events

  • An unemployed worker, Neils B. Ruud, in Madison, Wisconsin, receives the first unemployment benefit check paid under a State law, for $15

Famous Birthdays

  • Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Native American (Dakota Sioux) country music singer-songwriter, actor (Walker, Texas Ranger; Northern Exposure), and political activist, born on Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, South Dakota (d. 2007)
  • Ivan Parik, Czech classical and electro-acoustic composer (Quadrophony), born in Bratislava (d. 2005)
  • Margaret Hamilton, American computer scientist, systems engineer (MIT), and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient (2016, for her work with NASA's Apollo missions), born in Paoli, Indiana

Famous Deaths

  • Pierre-Octave Ferroud, French composer (Surgery & Foules), dies at 36
Died in 1936 1936 Highlights

About August 17, 1936

Day of the Week: Monday
How Long Ago? 87 years, 8 months and 11 days
Leap Year: Yes

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Leo