Wednesday, 17th December 2003 in London
Welcome to your daily snapshot of London! Explore 64 historical events, birthdays, deaths, and milestones that shaped this day in London. From remarkable moments in local and world history to the people who left their mark — find out what makes today special. Today's weather in London brings cloudy with temperatures between 0°C and 6°C. Tonight's moon is in its first quarter phase, and the zodiac sign of the day is Sagittarius. If you're curious about the history of a day — this page brings together everything worth knowing about this Wednesday, 17th December in London, GB.
On 17 December 2003, London experienced cloudy conditions as the city continued its daily rhythms. The capital of the United Kingdom has long served as a centre for commerce, politics and culture, hosting millions of residents and visitors across its extensive metropolitan area. Those born on this date fall under the Sagittarius zodiac sign, whilst the moon was in its first quarter phase.
History records several significant events connected to this date across the decades. In 1939, the German cruiser Graf Spee was scuttled by its commander Hans Langsdorff off the coast of Uruguay following damage sustained in naval combat, a moment that marked a strategic turning point in the early stages of the Second World War. More recently, in 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor in Tunisia, set himself on fire in protest against police harassment, an act that would ultimately spark the Tunisian revolution and catalyse broader regional upheaval across the Arab world.
The date also carries darker associations with violence in more recent times. In 1983, a car bomb detonated outside Harrods in London claimed six lives and injured approximately 90 people during a period marked by significant civil unrest. Such historical events demonstrate how particular dates accumulate layers of human experience, from moments of political consequence to tragic loss.
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Find out what's happening today in London.
What the Weather Had in Store for London on 17th December 2003
Strength emerges where limits stand firm.
Fortune of the Day
17th December in the Stars – Star Sign Pisces
Personality Profile
Personality Those born on December 17th blend Sagittarian optimism with Martian drive and courage. They're curious, straightforward, and perpetually in motion—rare philosophers who act decisively. Master Number 11 grants them spiritual intuition and visionary depth beneath their adventurous exterior.
Strengths & Weaknesses Their strengths shine through boldness, resilience, and inspiring communication. They galvanize others with authentic passion and conviction. Weaknesses include impatience, overconfidence, and overlooking fine details. They can seem blunt or impulsive to sensitive souls.
Love In relationships, they seek intellectually stimulating, sincere partners who honor their need for freedom. Their love is generous and loyal, though emotionally restless. They thrive with adventurous companions who match their philosophical curiosity.
Caree & Finance Ideal careers harness their risk-taking: entrepreneurship, sales, coaching, or journalism. Financial gain flows from bold decisions and calculated risks. They should temper impulsiveness with strategic planning and patience.
Health Regular physical activity—running, martial arts, high-intensity training—channelizes their Martian intensity productively. Meditation and magnesium supplements calm their restless nervous system. Sleep routines stabilize their typically active minds.
That night, the moon was in its first quarter phase.
Chinese year of the Goat (Water).
Fun Facts About 17th December
Name Days in Your Language: Eleazar, Lazar, Lazaro, Lazarus, Olympia, Orval, Orville, Storm, Stormie, Stormy, Wilbert, Wilberta, Wilbur
Someone born on this day in 2003 would be 22 years old today — just 8,151 days into life, which is roughly 195,637 hours, 11,738,243 minutes, or 704,294,638 seconds spent on Earth so far.
It's the 351. day of the year.
There are 14 days still to come.
We’re currently in Week 51 — the year marches on.
Famous Birthdays on 17th December
- Castello Lukeba, French footballer (2002)
- Wesley Fofana, French footballer (2000)
- Holly Humberstone, English singer-songwriter (1999)
- Mirei Sasaki, Japanese singer, model, and actress (1999)
- Jasmine Armfield, English actress (1998)
- Martin Ødegaard, Norwegian footballer (1998)
- Naiktha Bains, British-Australian tennis player (1997)
- Shoma Uno, Japanese figure skater (1997)
- Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Russian figure skater (1996)
Lives Remembered on 17th December
- Larry Sherry, American baseball player and coach (born 1935) (2006)
- Jack Anderson, American journalist and author (born 1922) (2005)
- Marc Favreau, Canadian actor and poet (born 1929) (2005)
- Haljand Udam, Estonian orientalist and academic (born 1936) (2005)
- Tom Wesselmann, American painter and sculptor (born 1931) (2004)
- Otto Graham, American football player and coach (born 1921) (2003)
- K. W. Devanayagam, Sri Lankan lawyer and politician, tenth Sri Lankan Minister of Justice (born 1910) (2002)
Celebrations & Special Days Worldwide on 17th December
- Christian feast day: Daniel the Prophet
- Christian feast day: Josep Manyanet i Vives
- Christian feast day: Lazarus of Bethany (local commemoration in Cuba)
- Christian feast day: O Sapientia
- Christian feast day: Olympias the Deaconess
- Christian feast day: Wivina
- Christian feast day: Sturm
- Christian feast day: December 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
- Accession Day (Bahrain)
- International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
- Kurdish Flag Day (Global Kurdish population)
- National Day (Bhutan)
- Pan American Aviation Day (United States)
- Wright Brothers Day, a United States federal observance by Presidential proclamation
What Happened on 17th December?
- Anti-World Trade Organization protesters riot in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. (2005)
- Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicates the throne as King of Bhutan. (2005)
- The Soham murder trial ends at the Old Bailey in London, with Ian Huntley found guilty of two counts of murder. His girlfriend, Maxine Carr, is found guilty of perverting the course of justice. (2003)
- SpaceShipOne, piloted by Brian Binnie, makes its first powered and first supersonic flight. (2003)
- Sex work rights activists establish December 17 (or "D17") as International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers to memorialize victims of a serial killer who targeted prostitutes, and highlight State violence against sex workers by police and others. (2003)
- Second Congo War: The Congolese parties of the Inter Congolese Dialogue sign a peace accord which makes provision for transitional governance and legislative and presidential elections within two years. (2002)