1. Chumash People Settled on the Channel Islands:
On June 17, 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo discovered what is now known as Santa Catalina Island, one of the eight Channel Islands in California. Cabrillo named the area "Las Islas de San Lucas" and encountered the Chumash people who had settled on the islands thousands of years before.

2. San Francisco’s First Women’s March:
In 1978, San Francisco hosted its first-ever female-led march, which advocated for equal rights for women. Over 5,000 women participated in the event, marching down Polk Street to add their voices to the growing call for equal rights and protections for women in society.

3. Los Angeles Lakers Select Kobe Bryant:
June 17, 1996, marked the day when the Los Angeles Lakers chose an 18-year-old Kobe Bryant as the 13th overall pick in that year's NBA draft. That pick turned out to be a fantastic move as the basketball superstar went on to win five NBA championships with the Lakers and became one of the most famous athletes of all time.

4. World’s First Surfing Championship Held in California:
In 1964, the world's first surfing championship was held in beautiful Manhattan Beach, California. The event brought together the best surfers in the world for an unforgettable contest that was won by a young Hawaiian named Joey Cabell.

5. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Established:
On June 17, 1772, the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was established by Father Junipero Serra. The mission was the fifth of 21 operations built to spread Christianity to the Native American people in what is now California. The mission quickly became a thriving educational and agricultural center, with the Franciscan friars teaching the local population how to farm and other valuable skills.