Today In History. What Happened This Day In History

A chronological timetable of historical events that occurred on this day in history. Historical facts of the day in the areas of military, politics, science, music, sports, arts, entertainment and more. Discover what happened today in history.

January 17

1601		The Treaty of Lyons ends a short war between France and Savoy.
1746		Charles Edward Stuart, the young pretender, defeats the government forces at the battle of Falkirk in Scotland.
1773		Captain James Cook becomes the first person to cross the Antarctic Circle.
1819		Simon Bolivar the “liberator” proclaims Columbia a republic.
1893		Queen Liliuokalani, the Hawaiian monarch, is overthrown by a group of American sugar planters led by Sanford Ballard Dole.
1852		At the Sand River Convention, the British recognize the independence of the Transvaal Board.
1912		Robert Scott reaches the South Pole only a month after Roald Amundsen.
1939		The Reich issues an order forbidding Jews to practice as dentists, veterinarians and chemists.
1945		The Red army occupies Warsaw.
1963		Soviet leader Khrushchev visits the Berlin Wall.
1985		A jury in New Jersey rules that terminally ill patients have the right to starve themselves.
Born on January 17
1504		Pius V, Pope 1566-1572.
1706		Benjamin Franklin, statesman, diplomat, scientist and inventor who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac.
1860		Anton Chekhov, Russian playwright and short story writer famous for The Seagull and Three Sisters.
1863		David Lloyd George, British Prime Minister during World War I.
1899		Al Capone, U.S. mobster known as “Scarface Al” who ran most of Chicago and the surrounding area.
1922		Betty White, actress; created memorable characters in TV sitcoms from the 1950s into the 21st century (Life with Elizabeth, Mary Tyler Moore, The Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland) and was a popular guest on TV games shows. At age 88 and a half she became the oldest person ever to host Saturday Night Live (2010).
1942		Muhammad Ali [Cassius Clay], U.S. boxer, “The Greatest,” who is the only three-time heavyweight champion..
1964		Michelle Robinson Obama, wife of US President Barack Obama.