Today is the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.

The holiday has been observed since 1994, when the International Convention to Combat Desertification was adopted in Paris. Also on June 17, Iceland celebrates its Independence Day. The country is administratively divided into 8 regions and 23 districts. According to the Constitution, the head of state is the president, elected by open vote for a 4-year term. Legislative power is exercised by the president and the unicameral parliament "Althingi". Iceland was an independent state from 930 to 1262. However, from 1262 it became a colony of Norway, and in 1380 passed under Danish rule. Statesman Jón Sigurðsson led Iceland's national liberation movement against Denmark, demanding an end to the trade monopoly. Iceland gained independence on June 17, 1944.

Historical events on June 17 in the world

  • 011970 – American scientist Edwin Land patented the Polaroid camera.
  • 021985 – The cable network of the Discovery channel was launched.
  • 031989 – An Il-62 plane crashed in Berlin, killing 22 people.
  • 041990 – The "Chernobyl" union was founded in Kyiv.

Historical events on June 17 in Kazakhstan

  • 011992 – The publishing house "Ana tili" published Akhmet Baitursynuly's book "Til taglymy".
  • 021993 – By decree of the President of Kazakhstan, the Military Institute of the National Security Committee was established.
  • 031998 – A monument to the great composer, author of the Kazakh national anthem, People's Artist Shamshi Kaldayakov was solemnly opened in front of the South Kazakhstan Regional Philharmonic.
  • 042011 – Construction of the Bokeikhan mausoleum began in the Astrakhan region of Russia.
  • 052015 – In the Inder district of Atyrau region, a medieval warrior's burial was found in the Terekty area.
  • 062016 – In Aktobe, a street was named in honor of the first Kazakh female doctor, Akkagaz Doszhanova.

Famous people born on June 17

  • 011929 – Armenian chess player, international grandmaster, world chess champion Tigran Petrosian.
  • 021903 – Soviet and Russian poet, playwright, journalist, screenwriter, war correspondent Mikhail Svetlov.
  • 031939 – Polish film director, artistic director and director of the TOR film studio Krzysztof Zanussi.
  • 041953 – Ukrainian singer, composer, People's Artist of Ukraine Ivan Bobul.
  • 051962 – Soviet and Russian theater and film actress Alexandra Zakharova.

Who was born on June 17 in Kazakhstan

  • 011945 – Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Uskenbai Madiev.
  • 021949 – Athlete, Master of Sports of the USSR in athletics, multiple champion of Kazakhstan in the 800, 1500, and 3000 meters Beken Kurenkeev.
  • 031957 – Deputy of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Murat Bakhtiyaruly.