1835day.year
The second Great Fire of New York destroys 53,000 square metres (13 acres) of New York City's Financial District.
On December 17, 1835, the second Great Fire of New York reached its peak, devastating the Financial District. The inferno consumed over 53,000 square meters of banks, offices, and warehouses.
On December 17, 1835, the second Great Fire of New York reached its peak, devastating the Financial District. Fueled by wooden buildings and strong winds, the inferno consumed over 53,000 square meters of banks, offices, and warehouses. Firefighters struggled with inadequate water pressure and archaic equipment in a battle that lasted more than 12 hours. The city's leadership responded by overhauling building regulations, mandating fireproof materials, and improving firefighting infrastructure. Financial losses topped millions of dollars, but the aftermath also accelerated modernization and growth. Today, the 1835 fire remains a testament to New York's resilience and capacity for reinvention.
1835
Great Fire of New York
Financial District
1837day.year
A fire in the Winter Palace of Saint Petersburg kills 30 guards.
In 1837, a devastating fire broke out in the Winter Palace of Saint Petersburg, claiming the lives of 30 guards. The disaster highlighted vulnerabilities in the imperial residence's infrastructure.
On December 17, 1837, a catastrophic fire erupted within the Winter Palace, the official residence of Russia's tsars, in Saint Petersburg. The blaze spread rapidly through wooden floors and ornate interiors, trapping and killing approximately 30 palace guards. The imperial household suffered extensive damage to ceremonial halls and private chambers, prompting urgent restoration efforts. Tsar Nicholas I ordered an immediate investigation and oversaw the reconstruction, commissioning architect Vasily Stasov to implement fireproofing measures. The incident exposed the need for modern safety standards in royal estates and led to widespread architectural reforms. Today, the Winter Palace stands as a symbol of Russian heritage and the resilience demonstrated in its preservation.
1837
fire in the Winter Palace
Saint Petersburg
1896day.year
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's Schenley Park Casino, which was the first multi-purpose arena with the technology to create an artificial ice surface in North America, is destroyed in a fire.
North America's first arena with artificial ice, Pittsburgh's Schenley Park Casino, was destroyed by a swift and devastating fire in 1896.
Opened in 1895, Schenley Park Casino in Pittsburgh was North America's first indoor arena to feature an artificial ice surface, hosting skating exhibitions and sporting events year-round. On December 17, 1896, a fire broke out late at night and rapidly consumed the timber structure, leaving only charred ruins in its wake. Although no casualties were reported, the loss of the Casino deprived the city of a major social and recreational venue. The blaze highlighted the vulnerabilities of early large-scale wooden buildings and spurred reforms in fire safety regulations. The site's demise marked the end of a pioneering chapter in American leisure and engineering history.
1896
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's
Schenley Park Casino
arena
1960day.year
Munich C-131 crash: Twenty passengers and crew on board as well as 32 people on the ground are killed.
A U.S. Air Force C-131 transport crashes near Munich in 1960, killing 52 people on board and on the ground.
On December 17, 1960, a U.S. Air Force C-131 transport aircraft crashed in the Munich area, plowing into a suburban neighborhood. The accident claimed the lives of all 20 service members and crew on board and 32 civilians on the ground. Although investigations were inconclusive, mechanical issues and poor weather conditions were cited as possible factors. The crash shocked the local community and raised concerns about military flights over densely populated areas. German aviation authorities subsequently reviewed flight safety regulations to prevent similar disasters. The event remains one of the worst aviation tragedies in Munich’s post-war history.
Munich C-131 crash
1961day.year
Niterói circus fire: Fire breaks out during a performance by the Gran Circus Norte-Americano in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, killing more than 500.
A devastating fire engulfs a circus tent in Niterói, Brazil, in 1961, killing over 500 people during a live performance.
On the evening of December 17, 1961, a fire broke out under the big top of the Gran Circo Norte-Americano in Niterói, just across the bay from Rio de Janeiro. The circus tent, treated with flammable waterproofing compounds, ignited rapidly when an electrical short-circuit sparked a blaze. Over 500 spectators, many of them children and families, were unable to escape the inferno before it engulfed the structure. The disaster stands as Brazil’s deadliest fire and one of the worst in circus history. In the aftermath, widespread public outrage led to new fire safety standards for public entertainment venues. The tragedy underscored the dangers of inadequate safety measures in large gatherings.
1961
Niterói circus fire
Niterói, Rio de Janeiro
1997day.year
Aerosvit Flight 241: A Yakovlev Yak-42 crashes into the Pierian Mountains near Thessaloniki Airport in Thessaloniki, Greece, killing all 70 people on board.
Aerosvit Flight 241 crashed into the Pierian Mountains en route to Thessaloniki, Greece, killing all 70 people aboard in one of the worst aviation disasters of the region.
On December 17, 1997, Aerosvit Flight 241, operated by a Yakovlev Yak-42, departed from Kyiv bound for Thessaloniki, Greece.
Due to poor weather and navigational errors, the aircraft descended into the Pierian Mountains near Thessaloniki Airport.
The plane impacted rugged terrain, killing all 70 passengers and crew on board.
Investigations cited pilot miscommunication and inadequate instrumentation as contributing factors.
The tragedy prompted reviews of flight safety protocols and improved mountain approach procedures in the region.
Aerosvit Flight 241
Yakovlev Yak-42
Pierian Mountains
Thessaloniki Airport
Thessaloniki
2009day.year
MV Danny F II sinks off the coast of Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of 44 people and over 28,000 animals.
In 2009, the livestock carrier MV Danny F II sank off Lebanon’s coast, resulting in the deaths of 44 crew and over 28,000 animals onboard.
MV Danny F II, a livestock transport vessel, capsized amid heavy seas on December 17, 2009, near the Lebanese shore. The ship was carrying thousands of sheep and cattle destined for Middle Eastern markets when it encountered severe weather. Rescue teams scrambled to save survivors, but 44 lives were lost and the vast majority of animals perished. The incident prompted international scrutiny over maritime safety regulations for live animal transport. Environmental concerns arose due to the disposal of animal carcasses at sea. The tragedy highlighted the risks inherent in large-scale livestock shipping operations.
2009
MV Danny F II
Lebanon