September 17

1822 – The "Rosetta Stone," a block of triple inscriptions integral in deciphering other languages, is first translated.
1857 – Pioneer space theorist Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky is born. While working as a schoolteacher, Tsiolkovsky worked out many of the principles of space travel. He was recognized by the Soviet Union as the “Father of Cosmonautics.”
1976 – The first space shuttle, Enterprise, is unveiled by NASA.