On January 17, significant historical events have left their mark throughout the years. From explorations and scientific achievements to political decisions and cultural milestones, this date has witnessed a wide range of impactful moments. Join us as we delve into the annals of Major Historical Events on January 17 to explore some of the noteworthy events.
Major Historical Events on January 17 – Today in History
1524: Giovanni da Verrazzano Discovers North America
Giovanni da Verrazzano, an Italian explorer, embarked on a journey aboard the French ship La Dauphine with the goal of finding a passage to China. Instead, he stumbled upon North America, making an unexpected discovery.
1595: King Henry IV Declares War on Spain
King Henry IV of France initiated a declaration of war against Spain, which persisted for several years, resulting in significant conflicts and tensions between the two European powers.
1718: Avalanche Devastates Leukerbad, Switzerland
In 1718, a devastating avalanche struck Leukerbad, Switzerland, leading to the destruction of every building in the area and claiming the lives of 53 individuals.
1773: Captain James Cook Crosses Antarctic Circle
Captain James Cook achieved the historic feat of crossing the Antarctic Circle, marking a significant milestone in exploration as he ventured into the southernmost regions of the Earth.
1781: Battle of Cowpens in American Revolution
The Battle of Cowpens emerged as a pivotal moment during the American Revolution. Brigadier General Daniel Morgan led American revolutionary forces to a decisive victory over British troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton.
1871: First Cable Car Patented by Andrew Smith Hallidie
Andrew Smith Hallidie patented the world’s first cable car system. This innovation revolutionized urban transportation, particularly in hilly cities, providing a convenient and efficient mode of travel.
1882: First Dutch Female Physician Opens Office
Aletta Jacobs, a pioneering figure, became the first Dutch female physician and opened her medical practice, breaking barriers and inspiring future generations of women in the field of medicine.
1893: Queen Liliuokalani Deposed, Hawaii Becomes Republic
Queen Liliuokalani faced the unfortunate event of being deposed from her throne as the Kingdom of Hawaii transitioned into a republic following an American-led coup.
1912: Captain Robert Scott Reaches South Pole
Captain Robert Scott and his expedition reached the South Pole, although they arrived one month after Roald Amundsen’s historic achievement. Their journey was a testament to human endurance and exploration in harsh conditions.
1915: Russian Victory in Battle of Sarikamish
The Battle of Sarikamish concluded with a Russian victory over Ottoman forces led by Enver Pasha. The battle had significant casualties, with over 30,000 Turkish soldiers losing their lives during the Caucasus Campaign.
1920: Prohibition Begins in the US
The Prohibition era began in the United States due to the 18th Amendment, banning the production and sale of alcohol. This significant constitutional change aimed to address societal issues related to alcohol consumption.
1928: First Fully Automatic Film Developing Machine Patented
The invention of the first fully automatic photographic film developing machine revolutionized photography, streamlining the process of developing film and making it more accessible to the masses.
1938: Michail Kalinin Elected Chairman of Supreme Soviet
Michail Kalinin was elected as the chairman of the Supreme Soviet, a key leadership role in the Soviet Union’s political structure.
1945: Record Miler Gilbert Dodds Retires
Gilbert Dodds, a renowned record-breaking miler, retired from athletics to pursue gospel work, marking a significant transition in his life and career.
1950: Great Brinks Robbery in Boston
The Great Brinks Robbery saw 11 individuals successfully steal a substantial amount of cash and securities from the Brink’s armored car company in Boston, Massachusetts, in a daring heist.
1954: Jacques Cousteau’s First Network Telecast
Jacques Cousteau, a pioneer in marine exploration, made his first network telecast appearance on “Omnibus” (CBS), introducing millions to the wonders of the underwater world.
1955: US Submarine Nautilus Begins Nuclear-Powered Voyage
The US Submarine Nautilus embarked on its first nuclear-powered test voyage, marking a milestone in naval technology and demonstrating the potential of nuclear propulsion.
1976: Hermes Rocket Launched by European Space Agency
The European Space Agency launched the Hermes rocket, contributing to advancements in space exploration and technology.
1978: Sex Pistols Break Up
The iconic punk band The Sex Pistols disbanded following a turbulent final tour, marking the end of an era in punk rock music.
1981: Ferdinand Marcos Ends Martial Law in the Philippines
President Ferdinand Marcos lifted martial law in the Philippines, bringing an end to a period of authoritarian rule that had lasted for nearly a decade.
1982: “Cold Sunday” Sees Record-Low Temperatures in the US
“Cold Sunday” brought exceptionally low temperatures to various US cities, breaking century-old records and challenging the resilience of communities in the face of extreme cold.
1983: George Wallace Becomes Alabama Governor for 4th Time
Alabama Governor George Wallace achieved a record by becoming governor for the fourth time, a testament to his enduring influence in the state’s politics.
1989: First Women to Reach South Pole Overland on Skis
Murden and Metz achieved a historic feat by becoming the first women to reach the South Pole overland, using skis to traverse the challenging Antarctic terrain.
1990: Dave Stewart Signs Record MLB Contract
Major League Baseball pitcher Dave Stewart signed a groundbreaking contract with the Oakland A’s, setting a record with an annual salary of $3,500,000.
1994: Patrick Ewing Reaches 15,000-Point Mark in NBA
NBA player Patrick Ewing reached the significant milestone of scoring 15,000 career points, becoming the first New York player to achieve this feat during a game against Minnesota.
1996: Iraq Agrees to UN Plan for Oil Sale
Iraq engaged in discussions with the United Nations regarding a plan to sell $1 billion worth of oil, with the proceeds intended for humanitarian purposes. This diplomatic effort aimed to address pressing humanitarian needs in the region.
2001: OPEC Reduces Oil Production Quotas
OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, reached an agreement during a ministerial meeting in Vienna to reduce its member nations’ oil production quotas by 1.5 million barrels per day.
2007: Doomsday Clock Set at Five Minutes to Midnight
The Doomsday Clock, a symbol representing the perceived threat of global catastrophe, was adjusted to five minutes to midnight in response to North Korea’s first nuclear test.
2012: LeBron James Scores 20,000 Career Points in NBA
NBA player LeBron James achieved a historic milestone by becoming the youngest player in league history to score 20,000 career points. He surpassed Kobe Bryant’s record, highlighting his exceptional talent and impact on the game.
2015: Deontay Wilder Wins WBC Heavyweight Championship
American boxer Deontay Wilder secured the WBC heavyweight championship through a unanimous decision victory over Bermane Stiverne at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Wilder’s achievement marked the first time an American held a heavyweight title since Shannon Briggs in 2007.
2017: Search for Missing Aircraft MH370 Called Off
The search for the missing aircraft MH370 over the Indian Ocean was officially called off. This unfortunate decision marked the end of extensive efforts to locate the aircraft and its passengers, leaving many unanswered questions and unresolved mysteries.
2019: China Executes “Godfather of Crystal Meth”
China executed Cai Dongjia, known as the “godfather of crystal meth” from Boshe, Guangdong. This action was part of China’s ongoing efforts to combat drug-related issues and criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking.
2019: Ram Rahim Singh Sentenced to Life for Murder
Indian spiritual leader Ram Rahim Singh and two of his aides were sentenced to life in prison for their involvement in the murder of a journalist who had exposed sexual abuse within their sect.
Also Read: Major Historical Events on January 16 – Today in History
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