What Happened on November 17?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON NOVEMBER 17
Explore the most important historical events that happened on November 17, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
American Civil War
Year:
1863
American Civil War: Siege of Knoxville begins: During the Knoxville campaign, Confederate forces under General James Longstreet besiege the city of Knoxville, Tennessee and its Union defenders led by General Ambrose Burnside.
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Egypt
Year:
1869
In Egypt, the Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, is inaugurated.
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Denver
Year:
1858
The city of Denver, Colorado is founded.
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American frontier
Year:
1856
American Old West: On the Sonoita River in present-day southern Arizona, the United States Army establishes Fort Buchanan in order to help control new land acquired in the Gadsden Purchase.
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Ecuador
Year:
1831
Ecuador and Venezuela are separated from Gran Colombia.
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Umberto I of Italy
Year:
1878
First assassination attempt against Umberto I of Italy by anarchist Giovanni Passannante, who was armed with a dagger. The King survived with a slight wound in an arm. Prime Minister Benedetto Cairoli blocked the aggressor, receiving an injury in a leg.
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Serbo-Bulgarian War
Year:
1885
Serbo-Bulgarian War: The decisive Battle of Slivnitsa begins.
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Tartu Art Museum
Year:
1940
The Tartu Art Museum is established in Tartu, Estonia.
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BIRTHS ON NOVEMBER 17
Discover famous people and historical figures born on November 17, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Martin Scorsese
Year of birth:
1942
Martin Scorsese, American director, producer, screenwriter, and actor
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Bob Gaudio
Year of birth:
1942
Bob Gaudio, American singer-songwriter, keyboard player, and producer
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Luke Kelly
Year of birth:
1940
Luke Kelly, Irish singer, folk musician and actor (died 1984)
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Auberon Waugh
Year of birth:
1939
Auberon Waugh, English journalist and author (died 2001)
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Charles Guthrie, Baron Guthrie of Craigiebank
Year of birth:
1938
Charles Guthrie, Baron Guthrie of Craigiebank, Scottish general (died 2025)
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Partha Dasgupta
Year of birth:
1942
Partha Dasgupta, Bangladeshi economist and academic
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Lauren Hutton
Year of birth:
1943
Lauren Hutton, American model and actress
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Rem Koolhaas
Year of birth:
1944
Rem Koolhaas, Dutch architect and academic, designed the Seattle Central Library
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DEATHS ON NOVEMBER 17
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on November 17, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Hugh Price Hughes
Year of death:
1902
Hugh Price Hughes, Welsh theologian and educator (born 1847)
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George Hendric Houghton
Year of death:
1897
George Hendric Houghton, American pastor and theologian (born 1820)
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Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Year of death:
1905
Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, (born 1817)
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Ralph Johnstone
Year of death:
1910
Ralph Johnstone, American pilot (born 1886)
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Auguste Rodin
Year of death:
1917
Auguste Rodin, French sculptor and illustrator (born 1840)
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James McCune Smith
Year of death:
1865
James McCune Smith, American physician and author (born 1813)
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Carle Vernet
Year of death:
1835
Carle Vernet, French painter and lithographer (born 1758)
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Catherine the Great
Year of death:
1796
Catherine the Great, of Russia (born 1729)
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HOLIDAYS ON NOVEMBER 17
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on November 17 around the world.
Hilda of Whitby
Christian feast days: Hilda of Whitby
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Hugh of Lincoln
Christian feast days: Hugh of Lincoln
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November 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast days: November 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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World Prematurity Day
World Prematurity Day
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Athens Polytechnic uprising
Athens Polytechnic Uprising Remembrance Day (Greece)
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Gregory Thaumaturgus
Christian feast days: Gregory Thaumaturgus
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Acisclus
Christian feast days: Acisclus
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Gregory of Tours
Christian feast days: Gregory of Tours (Roman Catholic Church)
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