🔍
Go To:

On This Day

April 17

YEAR 2021

The funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, takes place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

The funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, takes place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

YEAR 2014

NASA's Kepler space telescope confirms the discovery of the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of another star.

NASA's Kepler space telescope confirms the discovery of the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of another star.

YEAR 2013

An explosion at a fertilizer plant in the city of West, Texas, kills 15 people and injures 160 others.

An explosion at a fertilizer plant in the city of West, Texas, kills 15 people and injures 160 others.

YEAR 2006

A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates an explosive device in a Tel Aviv restaurant, killing 11 people and injuring 70.

A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates an explosive device in a Tel Aviv restaurant, killing 11 people and injuring 70.

YEAR 2003

Anneli Jäätteenmäki takes office as the first female prime minister of Finland.

Anneli Jäätteenmäki takes office as the first female prime minister of Finland.

YEAR 1998

Space Shuttle Columbia is launched on STS-90, the final Spacelab mission.

Space Shuttle Columbia is launched on STS-90, the final Spacelab mission.

YEAR 1992

The Katina P is deliberately run aground off Maputo, Mozambique, and 60,000 tons of crude oil spill into the ocean.

The Katina P is deliberately run aground off Maputo, Mozambique, and 60,000 tons of crude oil spill into the ocean.

YEAR 1986

An alleged state of war lasting 335 years between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly declared peace bringing an end to any hypothetical war that...

An alleged state of war lasting 335 years between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly declared peace bringing an end to any hypothetical war that may have been legally considered to exist.

YEAR 1982

Constitution Act, 1982 Patriation of the Canadian constitution in Ottawa by Proclamation of Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada.

Constitution Act, 1982 Patriation of the Canadian constitution in Ottawa by Proclamation of Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada.

YEAR 1978

Mir Akbar Khyber is assassinated, provoking the Saur Revolution in Afghanistan.

Mir Akbar Khyber is assassinated, provoking the Saur Revolution in Afghanistan.

YEAR 1975

The Cambodian Civil War ends and the Cambodian Genocide begins. The Khmer Rouge captures the capital Phnom Penh and Cambodian government forces surren...

The Cambodian Civil War ends and the Cambodian Genocide begins. The Khmer Rouge captures the capital Phnom Penh and Cambodian government forces surrender.

YEAR 1971

The Provisional Government of Bangladesh is formed.

The Provisional Government of Bangladesh is formed.

YEAR 1970

Apollo program: The damaged Apollo 13 spacecraft returns to Earth safely.

Apollo program: The damaged Apollo 13 spacecraft returns to Earth safely.

YEAR 1969

Sirhan Sirhan is convicted of assassinating Robert F. Kennedy.

Sirhan Sirhan is convicted of assassinating Robert F. Kennedy.

YEAR 1969

Communist Party of Czechoslovakia chairman Alexander Dubček is deposed.

Communist Party of Czechoslovakia chairman Alexander Dubček is deposed.

YEAR 1964

Jerrie Mock completes the first around-the-world airplane flight by a woman. Her solo flight in the Spirit of Columbus, which took 29 1/2 days, took o...

Jerrie Mock completes the first around-the-world airplane flight by a woman. Her solo flight in the Spirit of Columbus, which took 29 1/2 days, took off and landed at the Port Columbus International Airport in Ohio.

YEAR 1961

Bay of Pigs Invasion: A group of Cuban exiles financed and trained by the CIA lands at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba with the aim of ousting Fidel Castro.

Bay of Pigs Invasion: A group of Cuban exiles financed and trained by the CIA lands at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba with the aim of ousting Fidel Castro.

YEAR 1951

The Peak District becomes the United Kingdom's first National Park.

The Peak District becomes the United Kingdom's first National Park.

YEAR 1946

The last French troops are withdrawn from Syria.

The last French troops are withdrawn from Syria.

YEAR 1945

World War II: Montese, Italy, is liberated from Nazi forces.

World War II: Montese, Italy, is liberated from Nazi forces.

YEAR 1945

Historian Tran Trong Kim is appointed the Prime Minister of the Empire of Vietnam.

Historian Tran Trong Kim is appointed the Prime Minister of the Empire of Vietnam.

YEAR 1944

Forces of the Communist-controlled Greek People's Liberation Army attack the smaller National and Social Liberation resistance group, which surrenders...

Forces of the Communist-controlled Greek People's Liberation Army attack the smaller National and Social Liberation resistance group, which surrenders. Its leader Dimitrios Psarros is murdered.

YEAR 1942

French prisoner of war General Henri Giraud escapes from his castle prison in Königstein Fortress.

French prisoner of war General Henri Giraud escapes from his castle prison in Königstein Fortress.

YEAR 1941

World War II: The Axis powers invasion of Yugoslavia is completed when it signs an armistice with Germany and Italy.

World War II: The Axis powers invasion of Yugoslavia is completed when it signs an armistice with Germany and Italy.

YEAR 1931

After negotiations between Catalan and Spanish provisional governments, the Catalan Republic proclaimed in April 14 becomes the Generalitat de Catalun...

After negotiations between Catalan and Spanish provisional governments, the Catalan Republic proclaimed in April 14 becomes the Generalitat de Catalunya, the autonomous government of Catalonia within the Spanish Republic.

YEAR 1925

The Communist Party of Korea (CPK) was founded in Japanese-ruled Korea (Chōsen) in Keijō (now Seoul) by Kim Yong-bom and Pak Hon-yong.

The Communist Party of Korea (CPK) was founded in Japanese-ruled Korea (Chōsen) in Keijō (now Seoul) by Kim Yong-bom and Pak Hon-yong.

YEAR 1912

Russian troops open fire on striking goldfield workers in northeast Siberia, killing at least 150.

Russian troops open fire on striking goldfield workers in northeast Siberia, killing at least 150.

YEAR 1907

The Ellis Island immigration center processes 11,747 people, more than on any other day.

The Ellis Island immigration center processes 11,747 people, more than on any other day.

YEAR 1905

The Supreme Court of the United States decides Lochner v. New York, which holds that the "right to free contract" is implicit in the due process claus...

The Supreme Court of the United States decides Lochner v. New York, which holds that the "right to free contract" is implicit in the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

YEAR 1895

The Treaty of Shimonoseki between China and Japan is signed. This marks the end of the First Sino-Japanese War, and the defeated Qing Empire is forced...

The Treaty of Shimonoseki between China and Japan is signed. This marks the end of the First Sino-Japanese War, and the defeated Qing Empire is forced to renounce its claims on Korea and to concede the southern portion of the Fengtian province, Taiwa...

YEAR 1876

Catalpa rescue: The rescue of six Fenian prisoners from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia.

Catalpa rescue: The rescue of six Fenian prisoners from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia.

YEAR 1869

Morelos is admitted as the 27th state of Mexico.

Morelos is admitted as the 27th state of Mexico.

YEAR 1864

American Civil War: The Battle of Plymouth begins: Confederate forces attack Plymouth, North Carolina.

American Civil War: The Battle of Plymouth begins: Confederate forces attack Plymouth, North Carolina.

YEAR 1863

American Civil War: Grierson's Raid begins: Troops under Union Army Colonel Benjamin Grierson attack central Mississippi.

American Civil War: Grierson's Raid begins: Troops under Union Army Colonel Benjamin Grierson attack central Mississippi.

YEAR 1861

The state of Virginia's secession convention votes to secede from the United States; Virginia later becomes the eighth state to join the Confederate S...

The state of Virginia's secession convention votes to secede from the United States; Virginia later becomes the eighth state to join the Confederate States of America.

YEAR 1797

Sir Ralph Abercromby attacks San Juan, Puerto Rico, in what would be one of the largest invasions of the Spanish territories in the Americas.

Sir Ralph Abercromby attacks San Juan, Puerto Rico, in what would be one of the largest invasions of the Spanish territories in the Americas.

YEAR 1797

Citizens of Verona begin an unsuccessful eight-day rebellion against the French occupying forces.

Citizens of Verona begin an unsuccessful eight-day rebellion against the French occupying forces.

YEAR 1783

American Revolutionary War: Colbert's Raid: A Spanish garrison under Captain Jacobo du Breuil defeat British irregulars at Arkansas Post.

American Revolutionary War: Colbert's Raid: A Spanish garrison under Captain Jacobo du Breuil defeat British irregulars at Arkansas Post.

YEAR 1524

Giovanni da Verrazzano reaches New York harbor.

Giovanni da Verrazzano reaches New York harbor.

YEAR 1521

Trial of Martin Luther over his teachings begins during the assembly of the Diet of Worms. Initially intimidated, he asks for time to reflect before a...

Trial of Martin Luther over his teachings begins during the assembly of the Diet of Worms. Initially intimidated, he asks for time to reflect before answering and is given a stay of one day.

YEAR 1492

Spain and Christopher Columbus sign the Capitulations of Santa Fe for his voyage to Asia to acquire spices.

Spain and Christopher Columbus sign the Capitulations of Santa Fe for his voyage to Asia to acquire spices.

YEAR 1362

Kaunas Castle falls to the Teutonic Order after a month-long siege.

Kaunas Castle falls to the Teutonic Order after a month-long siege.

YEAR 1349

The rule of the Bavand dynasty in Mazandaran is brought to an end by the murder of Hasan II.

The rule of the Bavand dynasty in Mazandaran is brought to an end by the murder of Hasan II.

YEAR 1080

Harald III of Denmark dies and is succeeded by Canute IV, who would later be the first Dane to be canonized.

Harald III of Denmark dies and is succeeded by Canute IV, who would later be the first Dane to be canonized.