Seeds of Fire: A People’s Chronology

Recalling events that happened on this day in history.
Memories of struggle, resistance and persistence.

Compiled by Ulli Diemer

September 17, 1852
U.S. Marines land in Buenos Aires to ‘protect American interests’. They remain until April 1853. Related Topics: Argentina – Intervention – U.S. Foreign Policy – U.S. Imperialism
September 17, 1961
British peace activists, supporters of the Committee of 100, block roads at Holy Loch and Trafalgar Square, 1314 are arrested. Related Topics: Anti-War Movement – Non-violence – Nuclear Disarmament – Peace Movement
September 17, 1961
UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold dies in an air crash in the Congo. Whether the crash was accidental or deliberately caused remains a source of controversy. Related Topics: Airplane Crashes
September 17, 1989
Coal miners at the Pittston Coal mine in Virginia go on strike. Their year-long strike receives almost no coverage in the U.S. media, who are busy providing extensive coverage of a coal miners’ strike in the Soviet Union. Related Topics: Coal Mining – Mineworkers (Miners) – Strikes – Strikes: United States
September 17, 1997
A draft treaty banning anti-personnel mines is signed in Oslo. The United States refuses to sign.
September 17, 2007
Iraq: Blackwater mercenaries contracted by the U.S. occupation authorities kill 17 unarmed civilians and wound 27 others in Baghdad. Blackwater quickly changes its name to “XE”; many of the mercenaries switch to other security firms. Even though the murders took place in Iraq, the U.S. claims jurisdiction, and to no one’s surprise, an American judge then dismisses all charges against the killers on legal technicalities. Related Topics: Bagdad – Mercenaries – Violence Against Civilians
September 17, 2011
Occupy Wall Street begins life in Zucotti Park, New York City. Related Topics: Occupy Movement