Europa
- 1939: Nazi Repression in Prague
On November 17, 1939, Nazi forces violently suppressed student demonstrations in Prague, Czechoslovakia, following the funeral of Jan Opletal, a student killed during earlier protests. The Nazis closed all Czech universities, executed nine student leaders and professors without trial, and sent over 1,200 students to concentration camps. This event is commemorated as International Students’ Day and is a significant date in European student activism. - 1989: Velvet Revolution Begins
Fifty years later, on November 17, 1989, a peaceful student march in Prague—originally intended to commemorate the 1939 events—was violently dispersed by riot police. This crackdown sparked mass protests and strikes that led to the end of communist rule in Czechoslovakia and the beginning of the Velvet Revolution. November 17 is now celebrated in the Czech Republic as the Day of Freedom and Democracy, with numerous cultural and memorial events held across the country. - 1973: Athens Polytechnic Uprising
In Greece, November 17 marks the anniversary of the end of the Athens Polytechnic Uprising. On this day in 1973, the military junta used a tank to crush a student-led protest at the National Technical University of Athens. The violent suppression resulted in deaths and injuries, and the date is commemorated annually as a symbol of resistance against dictatorship, with all schools and universities closed in remembrance. - 1558: Elizabethan Era Begins
Queen Mary I of England died on November 17, 1558, and was succeeded by her half-sister Elizabeth I, marking the start of the Elizabethan era. - 1494: French Occupation of Florence
On this day in 1494, King Charles VIII of France occupied Florence, Italy, during the Italian Wars. - 1511: Treaty of Westminster
Henry VIII of England signed the Treaty of Westminster with Ferdinand II of Aragon, pledging mutual aid against France. - 1885: Battle of Slivnitsa
The decisive Battle of Slivnitsa began on November 17, 1885, during the Serbo-Bulgarian War.
America
- 1800: First Session of U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.
The United States Congress held its first session in the newly completed Capitol building in Washington, D.C., marking the start of Washington as the permanent seat of the U.S. government. - 1777: Articles of Confederation Submitted
The Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, were submitted to the states for ratification. - 1871: NRA Chartered
The National Rifle Association (NRA) was granted a charter by the state of New York. - 1973: Nixon’s “I Am Not a Crook” Speech
Amid the Watergate scandal, President Richard Nixon famously declared, “I am not a crook,” to Associated Press editors in Orlando, Florida. - 1993: NAFTA Approved by U.S. House
The U.S. House of Representatives approved the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a major trade pact between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. - 1858: Denver, Colorado Founded
The city of Denver was founded, which would become a major urban center in the American West. - 1856: Fort Buchanan Established in Arizona
The U.S. Army established Fort Buchanan on the Sonoita River in present-day southern Arizona to help control land acquired in the Gadsden Purchase. - 1863: Siege of Knoxville Begins (Civil War)
Confederate forces under General James Longstreet began the siege of Knoxville, Tennessee, against Union defenders led by General Ambrose Burnside. - 1900: U.S. Acquires Panama Canal Zone
The United States secured the Panama Canal Zone through a treaty with Colombia, setting the stage for the construction of the Panama Canal. - 1968: The “Heidi Game”
NBC famously cut away from the final minutes of a New York Jets vs. Oakland Raiders NFL game to air the movie “Heidi,” missing a dramatic comeback and sparking viewer outrage. - 1937: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” Premiere
Walt Disney’s animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” had its world premiere in Hollywood, a landmark in animation history. - 1962: Dulles International Airport Dedicated
President John F. Kennedy dedicated Washington Dulles International Airport, serving the Washington, D.C. region. - 1858: Start of Modified Julian Date
Astronomers and astrophysicists began using the Modified Julian Date starting from midnight on November 17, 1858, as a scientific timekeeping method.
Asia
- 1183 – Battle of Mizushima, Japan: During the Genpei War, Minamoto no Yoshinaka’s invasion force was intercepted and defeated by the Taira clan off the Japanese coast, marking an important military engagement in Japan’s medieval history.
- 1405 – Establishment of the Sultanate of Sulu: Sharif ul-Hāshim founded the Sultanate of Sulu in the southern Philippines, an important Islamic polity that played a crucial role in regional history.
- 1905 – Eulsa Treaty between Japan and Korea: This treaty, signed on November 17, 1905, effectively made Korea a protectorate of Japan, marking a significant step in Japan’s imperial expansion and the beginning of formal Japanese control over Korea.
- 1928 – Death of Lala Lajpat Rai, India: A prominent Indian nationalist leader, Lala Lajpat Rai died on this day after sustaining injuries during a police lathi charge protesting the Simon Commission. His death became a catalyst for intensified Indian independence activism.
- 1966 – Rita Faria wins Miss World: Rita Faria became the first Asian woman to win the Miss World beauty pageant, a notable cultural milestone for Asia.
- 1999 – US-China Trade Agreement: Although signed on November 15, its impact was felt in this period, paving the way for China’s entry into the World Trade Organization, which significantly influenced China’s economic integration with the world.
Africa
- 1869 – Opening of the Suez Canal (Egypt)
The Suez Canal, a critical waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, officially opened on November 17, 1869. Its completion transformed global trade by allowing ships to bypass the lengthy journey around the southern tip of Africa, thus establishing Egypt as a pivotal hub in international maritime commerce. - 1952 – Birth of Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa)
Cyril Ramaphosa, who would become the fifth President of South Africa, was born on this day. He is a prominent businessman, anti-apartheid activist, and political leader, playing a key role in shaping modern South Africa. - 1917 – World War I: British Forces Advance in East Africa
On November 17, 1917, during World War I, British troops occupied Lutshemi in East Africa as part of their campaign against German colonial forces in the region. - 1954 – Gamal Abdel Nasser Becomes Head of State (Egypt)
On this day, General Gamal Abdel Nasser forced out General Mohammed Naguib and became the head of state in Egypt, setting the stage for major political and social reforms in the country.
This day in history: 17 november