1. US History This Day in American History August 17 1862 Dakota uprising begins in Minnesota - Minnesota erupts in violence as desperate Dakota Indians attack white settlements along the Minnesota River.

2. US History This Day in American History August 17 1943 Robert De Niro born - On this day in 1943, Robert De Niro, considered one of the greatest actors in modern movie history, is born in New York City.

3. US History This Day in American History August 17 1974 “The Night Chicago Died” by Paper Lace tops the U.S. pop charts - In America, it is a fairly well-known historical fact that the legendary mob boss Al Capone was brought to justice not by uniformed officers of the Chicago Police Department, but by the punctilious accountants of the FBI.

4. US History This Day in American History August 17 1969 Woodstock Music Festival concludes - On this day in 1969, the grooviest event in music history–the Woodstock Music Festival–draws to a close after three days of peace, love and rock ‘n’ roll in upstate New York.