17th January In History

January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 348 days remain until the end of the year (349 in leap years).

So, What happened on 17th January in history

What happened today in history (17 January): Hawaiian monarchy overthrow, Muhammad Ali’s birth, Eisenhower’s last speech as president and more.

It may not mean much to you right now, but by the end of this article, you will learn that January 17 holds a significant place in history.

From the births of the greatest boxer, famous astronaut and the last speech from one of the most famous presidents of United States to the Barack Obama’s sworn in as president, many important events took place on 17th January.

Dive in to know what happened on this day (Jan. 17) in sports, politics and art, along with famous birthdays and deaths in world history.

Ancient Events

• In 38 BC – Octavian divorces his wife Scribonia and marries Livia Drusilla, ending the fragile peace between the Second Triumvirate and Sextus Pompey.
• In 1377 – Pope Gregory XI reaches Rome, after deciding to move the Papacy back to Rome from Avignon
• In 1524 – Giovanni da Verrazzano sets sail westward from Madeira to find a sea route to the Pacific Ocean.
• In 1562 – France grants religious toleration to the Huguenots in the Edict of Saint-Germain
• In 1595 – During the French Wars of Religion, Henry IV of France declares war on Spain.

Relatively New Events On This Day

• In 1778, British explorer James Cook landed at Waimea, on Kauai island, becoming the first European to visit Hawaii.
• In 1892, The first official basketball game was played in Springfield, Massachusetts, by YMCA students of the game’s inventor, James A. Naismith.
• In 1930, American astronaut Buzz Aldrin was born in Montclair, New Jersey.
• In 1945, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated for an unprecedented fourth term in office.
• In 1971, A nationwide strike in Great Britain’s postal system began.
• In 2009, On this day in 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the office.
• In 2017, After an unexpected victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, Republican Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.
• In 2021, American Democratic politician Kamala Harris became the first woman to serve as vice president of the United States as she took the oath of office.

Sports Events On This Day

• In 1933 Australian cricket batting champion Don Bradman takes only his 2nd Test wicket; bowls England’s Walter Hammond for 85 during 338-run 3rd Test defeat in Adelaid
• In 1994 Patrick Ewing becomes first New York player to reach the 15,000-point mark in his NBA career; scores a game-high 34 points in the Knicks’ 106-94 win over visiting Minnesota
• 1997 NBA suspends Dennis Rodman indefinitely for kicking cameraman
• 2012 LeBron James becomes youngest player in NBA history to record 20,000 career points during the Miami Heat’s 92-75 victory over Golden State; James, 28 years, 17 days, passes Kobe Bryant, 29 years, 122 days

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Art and Culture Events – What Happened on 17th January

• In 1950 “Alive & Kicking” opens at Winter Garden Theater NYC for 46 performances
• In 1976 “I Write the Songs” cover by Barry Manilow hits #1

Notable Deaths On 17th January

Famous Birthdays On 17th January

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