Please read the following table in Markdown format and then answer the question according to the table. Table cells in one row are seperated by '|', and different rows are seperated by '
'.

Table:
| Home team | Home team score | Away team | Away team score | Venue | Crowd | Date |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Geelong | 13.11 (89) | Richmond | 16.11 (107) | Kardinia Park | 11000.0 | 17 August 1946 |
| Essendon | 18.14 (122) | North Melbourne | 4.10 (34) | Windy Hill | 16000.0 | 17 August 1946 |
| Collingwood | 20.12 (132) | Footscray | 10.10 (70) | Victoria Park | 25000.0 | 17 August 1946 |
| Carlton | 14.8 (92) | St Kilda | 10.17 (77) | Princes Park | 13000.0 | 17 August 1946 |
| Melbourne | 18.15 (123) | Hawthorn | 13.8 (86) | MCG | 16000.0 | 17 August 1946 |
| South Melbourne | 7.16 (58) | Fitzroy | 12.15 (87) | Junction Oval | 18000.0 | 17 August 1946 |
Question:
What date did Essendon play as the home team?
Answer:
17 August 1946