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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.