April 17 is the 107th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 258 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about April 17th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about April 17th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- World Hemophilia Day
- National Bat Appreciation Day
- International Haiku Poetry Day
- National Mustang Day
- National Cheeseball Day
- Nothing Like A Dame Day
- Blah Blah Blah Day
- Drum & Bass Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – April 17
1986: The world’s longest war ends without a single shot having been fired
The state of war between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly had been extended for a total of 335 years by the lack of a peace treaty. Some historians doubt that war had ever been declared.
1978: Mir Akbar Khyber’s assassination triggers a communist coup in Afghanistan
The Communists introduced a series of reforms, such as equal rights for women and universal education. These achievements were undone soon after by the outbreak of several wars.
1975: Phnom Penh falls to the Khmer Rouge
The regime under “Brother number 1” Pol Pot tortured and killed several million people. Amongst the communists’ perceived enemies were intellectuals, anyone with a connection to the former government, and several ethnic minorities.
1961: A CIA-sponsored paramilitary group attempts to invade Cuba
The Bay of Pigs invasion was a failed attempt to overthrow the Cuban government. The United States government had ordered the CIA to plan Fidel Castro’s overthrow.
1521: Martin Luther faces charges for his revolutionary religious writings
The German monk was a leading figure of the Protestant Reformation. As a result of the hearing before the Diet of Worms, he was excommunicated and declared an outlaw.
1993: Barricades on Smolenskaya | 3-4 oct, 1993 | Moscow, Russia
1979: Ashraf RABII, a leader of the islamist-marxist Mujahideen Khalg on a shooting range near the capital. IRAN. Tehran. April 1979
1970: Paul McCartney’s 1st solo album “McCartney” released in 1970.
1932: Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia ends slavery in 1932.
1492: Christopher Columbus signs a contract with the Spanish monarchs to find the “Indies” with the stated goal of converting people to Catholicism. This promises him 10% of all riches found, and the governorship of any lands encountered in 1492.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, April 17
1974: Victoria Beckham, English singer, actress
1972: Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lankan cricketer
1966: Vikram, Indian actor, singer, producer
1964: Maynard James Keenan, American singer-songwriter, producer
1734: Taksin, Thai king
Jennifer Garner was born.
Roddy Piper was born.
Alexander II of Russia was born.
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, April 17
2014: Gabriel García Márquez, Colombian author, journalist, Nobel Prize laureate
2014: Karpal Singh, Malaysian politician
1988: Louise Nevelson, American sculptor
1790: Benjamin Franklin, American politician, scientist, publisher, 6th President of Pennsylvania
1680: Kateri Tekakwitha, American saint
Benjamin Franklin died.
Chyna died.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan died.
