1. In 1817, the New York Stock Exchange was formally established on February 17. The exchange was formed by a group of brokers in order to regulate and formalize the trading of securities and other financial instruments.

2. On February 17, 1864, the Union army captured the town of Meridian, Mississippi, during the Civil War. The capture of Meridian was a significant blow to the Confederacy as the town was an important transportation hub for the south.

3. In 1933, the first issue of Newsweek magazine was published on February 17. The magazine quickly became one of the most widely-read news sources in the United States, covering a wide range of topics from politics to entertainment.

4. On February 17, 1947, a B-29 bomber crashed into the Empire State Building in New York City. The crash killed 14 people, including 11 people in the building, making it the deadliest aviation accident at the time.

5. On February 17, 1968, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was established in Springfield, Massachusetts. The hall of fame honors the most significant and influential basketball players, coaches, and contributors to the sport.