What Happened on January 17?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON JANUARY 17
Explore the most important historical events that happened on January 17, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
El Yunque National Forest
Year:
1903
El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico becomes part of the United States National Forest System as the Luquillo Forest Reserve.
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Anton Chekhov
Year:
1904
Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard receives its premiere performance at the Moscow Art Theatre.
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Wake Island
Year:
1899
The United States takes possession of Wake Island in the Pacific Ocean.
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Lorrin A. Thurston
Year:
1893
Lorrin A. Thurston, along with the Citizens' Committee of Public Safety, led the Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the government of Queen Liliʻuokalani.
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Modoc people
Year:
1873
A group of Modoc warriors defeats the United States Army in the First Battle of the Stronghold, part of the Modoc War.
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Dervish
Year:
1885
A British force defeats a large Dervish army at the Battle of Abu Klea in the Sudan.
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Robert Falcon Scott
Year:
1912
British polar explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott reaches the South Pole, one month after Roald Amundsen.
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Russia
Year:
1915
Russia defeats Ottoman Turkey in the Battle of Sarikamish during the Caucasus Campaign of World War I.
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BIRTHS ON JANUARY 17
Discover famous people and historical figures born on January 17, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
George M. Leader
Year of birth:
1918
George M. Leader, American soldier and politician, 36th Governor of Pennsylvania (died 2013)
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Keith Joseph
Year of birth:
1918
Keith Joseph, English lawyer and politician, Secretary of State for Education (died 1994)
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M. G. Ramachandran
Year of birth:
1917
M. G. Ramachandran, Indian actor, director, and politician, 3rd Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (died 1987)
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Peter Frelinghuysen Jr.
Year of birth:
1916
Peter Frelinghuysen Jr., American lieutenant and politician (died 2011)
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William Stafford (poet)
Year of birth:
1914
William Stafford, American poet and author (died 1993)
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Howard Marion-Crawford
Year of birth:
1914
Howard Marion-Crawford, English actor (died 1969)
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Antonio Prohías
Year of birth:
1921
Antonio Prohías, Cuban cartoonist (died 1998)
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Asghar Khan
Year of birth:
1921
Asghar Khan, Pakistani general and politician (died 2018)
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DEATHS ON JANUARY 17
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on January 17, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Gauhar Jaan
Year of death:
1930
Gauhar Jaan, One of the first performers to record music on 78 rpm records in India. (born 1873)
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Juliette Gordon Low
Year of death:
1927
Juliette Gordon Low, American founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA (born 1860)
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Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia
Year of death:
1931
Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia (born 1864)
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Albert Jacka
Year of death:
1932
Albert Jacka, Australian captain, Victoria Cross recipient (born 1893)
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Louis Comfort Tiffany
Year of death:
1933
Louis Comfort Tiffany, American stained glass artist (born 1848)
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Ahmet Derviş
Year of death:
1932
Ahmet Derviş, Turkish general (born 1881)
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Francis Galton
Year of death:
1911
Francis Galton, English polymath, anthropologist, and geographer (born 1822)
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Agathon Meurman
Year of death:
1909
Agathon Meurman, Finnish politician and journalist (born 1826)
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HOLIDAYS ON JANUARY 17
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on January 17 around the world.
Our Lady of Pontmain
Christian feast day: Our Lady of Pontmain
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Sulpicius the Pious
Christian feast day: Sulpitius the Pious
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January 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: January 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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National day
National Day (Menorca, Spain)
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Anthony the Great
Christian feast day: Anthony the Great
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Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo
Christian feast day: Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo (one of Saints of the Cristero War)
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Beatification
Christian feast day: Blessed Angelo Paoli
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Gamelbert of Michaelsbuch
Christian feast day: Blessed Gamelbert of Michaelsbuch
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