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February 17

YEAR 2016

Military vehicles explode outside a Turkish Armed Forces barracks in Ankara, Turkey, killing at least 29 people and injuring 61 others.

Military vehicles explode outside a Turkish Armed Forces barracks in Ankara, Turkey, killing at least 29 people and injuring 61 others.

YEAR 2015

Eighteen people are killed and 78 injured in a stampede at a Mardi Gras parade in Haiti.

Eighteen people are killed and 78 injured in a stampede at a Mardi Gras parade in Haiti.

YEAR 2011

Arab Spring: Libyan protests against Muammar Gaddafi's regime begin.

Arab Spring: Libyan protests against Muammar Gaddafi's regime begin.

YEAR 2011

Arab Spring: In Bahrain, security forces launch a deadly pre-dawn raid on protesters in Pearl Roundabout in Manama; the day is locally known as Bloody...

Arab Spring: In Bahrain, security forces launch a deadly pre-dawn raid on protesters in Pearl Roundabout in Manama; the day is locally known as Bloody Thursday.

YEAR 2008

Kosovo declares independence from Serbia.

Kosovo declares independence from Serbia.

YEAR 2006

A massive mudslide occurs in Southern Leyte, Philippines; the official death toll is set at 1,126.

A massive mudslide occurs in Southern Leyte, Philippines; the official death toll is set at 1,126.

YEAR 1996

In Philadelphia, world champion Garry Kasparov beats the Deep Blue supercomputer in a chess match.

In Philadelphia, world champion Garry Kasparov beats the Deep Blue supercomputer in a chess match.

YEAR 1996

NASA's Discovery Program begins as the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft lifts off on the first mission ever to orbit and land on an asteroid, 433 Eros.

NASA's Discovery Program begins as the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft lifts off on the first mission ever to orbit and land on an asteroid, 433 Eros.

YEAR 1996

The 8.2 Mw  Biak earthquake shakes the Papua province of eastern Indonesia with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). A large tsunami followe...

The 8.2 Mw  Biak earthquake shakes the Papua province of eastern Indonesia with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). A large tsunami followed, leaving 166 people dead or missing and 423 injured.

YEAR 1995

The Cenepa War between Peru and Ecuador ends on a ceasefire brokered by the UN.

The Cenepa War between Peru and Ecuador ends on a ceasefire brokered by the UN.

YEAR 1992

First Nagorno-Karabakh War: Armenian troops massacre more than 20 Azerbaijani civilians during the Capture of Garadaghly.

First Nagorno-Karabakh War: Armenian troops massacre more than 20 Azerbaijani civilians during the Capture of Garadaghly.

YEAR 1991

Ryan International Airlines Flight 590 crashes during takeoff from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, killing both pilots, the aircraft's only o...

Ryan International Airlines Flight 590 crashes during takeoff from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, killing both pilots, the aircraft's only occupants.

YEAR 1980

First winter ascent of Mount Everest by Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy.

First winter ascent of Mount Everest by Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy.

YEAR 1979

The Sino-Vietnamese War begins.

The Sino-Vietnamese War begins.

YEAR 1978

The Troubles: The Provisional IRA detonates an incendiary bomb at the La Mon restaurant, near Belfast, killing 12 and seriously injuring 30 others, al...

The Troubles: The Provisional IRA detonates an incendiary bomb at the La Mon restaurant, near Belfast, killing 12 and seriously injuring 30 others, all Protestants.

YEAR 1974

Robert K. Preston, a disgruntled U.S. Army private, buzzes the White House in a stolen helicopter.

Robert K. Preston, a disgruntled U.S. Army private, buzzes the White House in a stolen helicopter.

YEAR 1972

Cumulative sales of the Volkswagen Beetle exceed those of the Ford Model T.

Cumulative sales of the Volkswagen Beetle exceed those of the Ford Model T.

YEAR 1970

The family of Jeffrey R. MacDonald, United States Army captain, is found murdered in their home in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Eventually, MacDonald h...

The family of Jeffrey R. MacDonald, United States Army captain, is found murdered in their home in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Eventually, MacDonald himself was charged with and convicted of the murder of his pregnant wife and two daughters.

YEAR 1969

American aquanaut Berry L. Cannon dies of carbon dioxide poisoning while attempting to repair a leak in the SEALAB III underwater habitat. The SEALAB...

American aquanaut Berry L. Cannon dies of carbon dioxide poisoning while attempting to repair a leak in the SEALAB III underwater habitat. The SEALAB project was subsequently abandoned.

YEAR 1966

Aeroflot Flight 065 crashes during take-off from Sheremetyevo International Airport, killing 21.

Aeroflot Flight 065 crashes during take-off from Sheremetyevo International Airport, killing 21.