What Happened on April 17?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON APRIL 17
Explore the most important historical events that happened on April 17, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Treaty of Shimonoseki
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 to renounce its claims on Korea and to concede the southern portion of the Fengtian province, Taiwan and the Penghu to Japan.
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Catalpa rescue
Year:
1876
Catalpa rescue: The rescue of six Fenian prisoners from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia.
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Morelos
Year:
1869
Morelos is admitted as the 27th state of Mexico.
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Battle of Plymouth (1864)
Year:
1864
American Civil War: The Battle of Plymouth begins: Confederate forces attack Plymouth, North Carolina.
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Supreme Court of the United States
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 clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
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Ellis Island
Year:
1907
The Ellis Island immigration center processes 11,747 people, more than on any other day.
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World War II
Year:
1941
World War II: The Axis powers invasion of Yugoslavia is completed when it signs an armistice with Germany and Italy.
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Catalan Republic (1931)
Year:
1931
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.
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BIRTHS ON APRIL 17
Discover famous people and historical figures born on April 17, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Richard Epstein
Year of birth:
1943
Richard Allen Epstein, American lawyer, author, and academic
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Buster Williams
Year of birth:
1942
Buster Williams, American jazz bassist
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Dnyaneshwar Agashe
Year of birth:
1942
Dnyaneshwar Agashe, Indian businessman and cricketer (died 2009)
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Lagle Parek
Year of birth:
1941
Lagle Parek, Estonian architect and politician, Estonian Minister of the Interior
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Clare Francis
Year of birth:
1946
Clare Francis, English sailor and author
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Tsutomu Wakamatsu
Year of birth:
1947
Tsutomu Wakamatsu, Japanese baseball player, coach, and manager
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Augustus Edward Hough Love
Year of birth:
1863
Augustus Edward Hough Love, English mathematician and theorist (died 1940)
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Ursula Ledóchowska
Year of birth:
1865
Ursula Ledóchowska, Polish-Austrian nun and saint, founded the Congregation of the Ursulines of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus (died 1939)
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DEATHS ON APRIL 17
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on April 17, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Kote Marjanishvili
Year of death:
1933
Kote Marjanishvili, Georgian director and playwright (born 1872)
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Aleksandr Golovin (artist)
Year of death:
1930
Alexander Golovin, Russian painter and stage designer (born 1863)
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Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck
Year of death:
1936
Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck, Dutch lawyer and politician, 28th Prime Minister of the Netherlands (born 1873)
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Jean Perrin
Year of death:
1942
Jean Baptiste Perrin, French-American physicist and chemist, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1870)
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Dimitrios Psarros
Year of death:
1944
Dimitrios Psarros, Greek lieutenant, founded the National and Social Liberation (born 1893)
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Laurence Ginnell
Year of death:
1923
Laurence Ginnell, Irish lawyer and politician (born 1852)
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Manwel Dimech
Year of death:
1921
Manwel Dimech, Maltese journalist, author, and philosopher (born 1860)
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George Jennings
Year of death:
1882
George Jennings, English engineer and plumber, invented the flush toilet (born 1810)
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HOLIDAYS ON APRIL 17
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on April 17 around the world.
Independence Day (Syria)
Evacuation Day (Syria), celebrates the recognition of the independence of Syria from France in 1946.
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Flag of American Samoa
Flag Day (American Samoa)
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Shemon bar Sabbae
Christian feast day: Shemon bar Sabbae
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April 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: April 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Henry Heath (martyr)
Christian feast day: Henry Heath
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Robert of Molesme
Christian feast day: Robert of Molesme
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Kateri Tekakwitha
Christian feast day: Kateri Tekakwitha (Canada)
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World Federation of Hemophilia
World Hemophilia Day
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