17 April

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

  1. Global Celebrations
  2. Historic Events
  3. Famous Birthdays
  4. Heartbreaking Deaths

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

Barricades on Smolenskaya | 3-4 oct, 1993 | Moscow, Russia
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

Ashraf RABII, a leader of the islamist-marxist Mujahideen Khalg on a shooting range near the capital. IRAN. Tehran. April 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.

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