On this day in history - July 17

What Happened On This Day – July 17

• 1998 The Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC) is adopted

  The ICC is the first international judicial body that has the power to try individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

• 1989 The Stealth Bomber makes its debut

  The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit made its first public flight from Palmdale, California.

• 1976 Indonesia annexes East Timor and declares it its 27th province

  This was the culmination of an 8-month long Indonesian invasion and occupation of the Southeast Asian country that began just after East Timor declared its independence from Portugal in November, 1975.

• 1955 Disneyland opens its doors for the first time

  The popular theme park (“The Happiest Place on Earth”) was opened by Walt Disney in Anaheim, California.

• 1945 The Potsdam Conference begins

  The heads of the US, the UK, and USSR met in Potsdam to discuss the terms of the German and Japanese surrenders, and to make post-war plans.