On this day: August 17

POSTED: 08:14 PM PDT Aug 16, 2012    UPDATED: 11:00 PM PDT Aug 16, 2012 

Davy Crockett is born, George Orwell publishes his classic novel, the Berlin Wall claims its first victim, Bill Clinton admits to an "improper physical relationship" and Michael Phelps sets a new Olympic mark, all on this day.

OTD August 17 - North River Steamboat
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Library of Congress

1807: Robert Fulton's North River Steamboat leaves New York City for Albany, N.Y., on the Hudson River, inaugurating the first commercial steamboat service in the world.

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