January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 348 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about January 17th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about January 17th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day
- Benjamin Franklin Day
- Kid Inventors Day
- Cable Car Day
- Blue Monday
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – January 17
1995: The Great Hanshin earthquake hits Kobe, Japan
6,434 people lost their lives during the quake, according to estimates.
1991: The Gulf War in Iraq begins
“Operation Desert Storm”, launched in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, resulted in about 100,000 civilian deaths.
1961: Patrice Lumumba is murdered with support from western governments
An independent commission concluded that Lumumba, the first democratically elected leader of the Congo, died at the hands of his domestic adversaries with the assistance of the Belgian government and the CIA.
1946: The UN Security Council holds its first session
The UNSC is the most powerful organ of the United Nations and it is charged with upholding international peace and security.
1945: Soviet and Polish forces liberate Warsaw during World War II
About 85% of the city was destroyed at that point.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, January 17
1962: Jim Carrey, Canadian/American actor, producer
1942: Muhammad Ali, American boxer
1927: Eartha Kitt, American actress, singer
1899: Al Capone, American gangster
1706: Benjamin Franklin, American politician, scientist, publisher, 6th President of Pennsylvania
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, January 17
2008: Bobby Fischer, American chess player
1961: Patrice Lumumba, Congolese politician, 1st Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
1936: Mateiu Caragiale, Romanian author
1893: Rutherford B. Hayes, American politician, 19th President of the United States
1468: Skanderbeg, Albanian lord
