What Happened on October 17?

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events

births

deaths

holidays

EVENTS ON OCTOBER 17

Explore the most important historical events that happened on October 17, featuring key moments that shaped the world.

The Open Championship

Year: 1860

First The Open Championship (referred to in North America as the British Open).

Cullin-la-ringo massacre

Year: 1861

Aboriginal Australians kill nineteen Europeans in the Cullin-la-ringo massacre.

Massacre of Aleppo (1850)

Year: 1850

Riots start, which lead to a massacre in Aleppo.

London Beer Flood

Year: 1814

Eight people die in the London Beer Flood.

Invasion of Curaçao (1800)

Year: 1800

War of the Second Coalition: Britain takes control of the Dutch colony of Curaçao.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Year: 1806

Former leader of the Haitian Revolution, Emperor Jacques I, is assassinated after an oppressive rule.

First Balkan War

Year: 1912

Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia declare war on the Ottoman Empire, joining Montenegro in the First Balkan War.

Leeds United F.C.

Year: 1919

Leeds United F.C. founded at Salem Chapel, Holbeck after the winding up of Leeds City F.C. for making illegal payments to players during World War I

BIRTHS ON OCTOBER 17

Discover famous people and historical figures born on October 17, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.

Don Coryell

Year of birth: 1924

Don Coryell, American football player and coach (died 2010)

Beverly Garland

Year of birth: 1926

Beverly Garland, American actress (died 2008)

Julie Adams

Year of birth: 1926

Julie Adams, American actress (died 2019)

Alejandro Végh Villegas

Year of birth: 1928

Alejandro Végh Villegas, Uruguayan politician (died 2017)

Giacomo Mari

Year of birth: 1924

Giacomo Mari, Italian footballer (died 1991)

Rolando Panerai

Year of birth: 1924

Rolando Panerai, Italian baritone (died 2019)

Luiz Bonfá

Year of birth: 1922

Luiz Bonfá, Brazilian guitarist and composer (died 2001)

Charles McClendon

Year of birth: 1923

Charles McClendon, American football player and coach (died 2001)

DEATHS ON OCTOBER 17

Look back at notable individuals who passed away on October 17, and learn about their lasting influences on history.

Wieland Wagner

Year of death: 1966

Wieland Wagner, German director and manager (born 1917)

Bart King

Year of death: 1965

Bart King, American cricketer (born 1873)

Sidney Hatch

Year of death: 1966

Sidney Hatch, American runner and soldier (born 1883)

Puyi

Year of death: 1967

Puyi, Chinese emperor (born 1906)

Quincy Wright

Year of death: 1970

Quincy Wright, American political scientist and academic (born 1890)

Jacques Hadamard

Year of death: 1963

Jacques Hadamard, French mathematician and academic (born 1865)

Natalia Goncharova

Year of death: 1962

Natalia Goncharova, Russian painter, costume designer, and set designer (born 1882)

Anne Crawford

Year of death: 1956

Anne Crawford, Israeli-English actress (born 1920)

HOLIDAYS ON OCTOBER 17

See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on October 17 around the world.

Richard Gwyn

Christian feast day: Richard Gwyn

John the Dwarf

Christian feast day: John the Short (John Colobus)

October 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Christian feast day: October 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Somaliland War of Independence

National Heroes Day (Somaliland)

Loyalty Day (Argentina)

Ignatius of Antioch

Christian feast day: Ignatius of Antioch

Margaret Mary Alacoque

Christian feast day: Marguerite Marie Alacoque (pre-1969 calendar, Visitadines)

October