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January 17: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

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Facts & Historic Events That Happened on January 17

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January 17th is Kid Inventors’ Day and Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day.

This day marks the seventeenth day of 2023, and there’s another 348 days in 2023.

If today’s your birthday or you’re just interested in the days on goings, then here we have some incredible facts and events for you that happened on January 17 throughout history.

Did you know that on this day in 2000, all 50 states of America celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday? This was the first time in history every state celebrated together.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about January 17th in history!

Events

What memorable events happened on January 17 in history? Keep reading to find out!

2017

The underwater search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 ended.

OTD in 2017: The underwater search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 ended.

The plane fell off the radar on March 8, 2014, and was never found despite professionals searching 46,332 square miles for the wreckage. On this day, the passengers’ families were informed that the effort to find the plane had been suspended.

2007

The Doomsday Clock’s minute hand was moved two minutes closer to midnight, making the new Doomsday just five minutes to midnight.

The change was made after North Korea performed its first nuclear test.

2000

For the first time in history, all 50 states of America celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.

1982

An incredibly cold air swept into the US from Canada and plunged temperatures across most States far below their existing all-time lows.

This event was, and will forever be known as Cold Sunday.

1976

Legendary band Blondie released their debut single “X-Offender.”

OTD in 1976: Legendary band Blondie released their debut single "X-Offender."

X-Offender was written by Debbie Harry and Gary Valentine.

1976

NASA successfully launched the experimental CTS Hermes satellite atop a Delta 2914 rocket.

The Communications Technology Satellite (CTS) was jointly developed by NASA, the Canadian Department of Communications, and the European Space Agency. At the time of its launch, it was the highest-powered communications satellite in orbit, with the three agencies sharing both the use of the satellite and the data obtained from it. While initially designed to last two years, it was instead functional for another two years.

1953

The Chevrolet Corvette sports car was presented for the first time at GM Motorama Auto Show in New York.

1945

Auschwitz concentration camp evacuated 56,000 prisoners.

OTD in 1945: Auschwitz concentration camp evacuated 56

Sadly, these prisoners were marched to several other camps. Labeled “the death marches,” around 9,000 to 15,000 prisoners died.

1929

Popeye the Sailor Man made his first appearance.

The one-eyed spinach-munching sailor was first seen in King Features’ Thimble Theatre comic strip and quickly became their most popular character. Since then, Popeye has been featured in cartoons, video games, a live-action film, comic books, and countless advertisements.

1915

Russians defeated Ottoman forces during WWI.

The Battle of Sarikamish was a battle between the Russian and Ottoman empires that began on December 22, 1914. It ended on this day when Russian forces collected leftovers from the defeated Ottoman forces.

1827

The first Duke of Wellington became Commander in Chief, making him the professional head of the British Army.

1773

On his second voyage, explorer Captain James Cook became the first to cross the Antarctic Circle.

OTD in 1773: On his second voyage

1595

French King Henry IV declared war against Spain during the French Wars of Religion.

1584

Bohemia adopted the Gregorian Calendar.

On January 6, 1584, Bohemia had to remove eleven days from the calendar to bring them to this day.

Famous Births

Are you celebrating your birthday today? If so, did you know that you share the same birthday as Jim Carrey? See what other famous people were born on this day.

1997

Jake Paul

American

YouTuber

Jake Paul

Age:

27 years old

Born In:

Ohio, USA

1922

Betty White

American

Actress

Betty White

Died On:

Dec 31, 2021 (Age 99)

Born In:

Illinois, USA

1962

Jim Carrey

Canadian-American

Actor

Jim Carrey

Age:

62 years old

Born In:

Ontario, Canada

1964

Michelle Obama

American

First Lady

Michelle Obama

Age:

60 years old

Born In:

Illinois, USA

1984

Calvin Harris

Scottish

DJ

Calvin Harris

Age:

40 years old

Born In:

Scotland, UK

1706

Benjamin Franklin

American

Polymath

Benjamin Franklin

Died On:

Apr 17, 1790 (Age 84)

Born In:

Massachusetts, USA

Quotes

Who said what today throughout history? Here are the most famous things people have said on Jan 17.

1956

The hardest thing, I think, is to live richly in the present, without letting it be tainted and spoiled out of fear for the future or regret for a badly managed past.

Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath

American Poet

Special Holidays

Here are some strange but interesting holidays that are celebrated on this day.

January 17: Kid Inventors' Day
United States

Kid Inventors’ Day

Some of the greatest inventions were created by kids. For example, popsicles were invented by 11-year-old Frank Epperson, and a 15-year-old invented Braille. Today is Kid Inventors’ Day, so why not encourage your children to create something extraordinary?

January 17: Ditch New Year's Resolution Day
World

Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day

Many people around the world make big ambitious New Year’s Resolutions and come to deeply regret overreaching so much. So today, we’re here to tell you that you’re allowed to ditch those resolutions; it’s not like anyone else is doing theirs.

THe Fact Site’s

Fun Fact Of The Day

The first recorded use of the term “chips” to describe fried potatoes was in Charles Dicken’s classic novel “A Tale of Two Cities.”

Birthday & Zodiac

For those of you who were born on this day, your star sign is Capricorn.

Capricorns are, without a shadow of a doubt, the most hardworking of all star signs.

People born during January have the Garnet birthstone. The garnet is undoubtedly a gift to the wearer as it brings them love, friendships, loyalty, health, and luck.

Anyone born on Jan 17 would likely have been conceived around April 26 in the previous year.

The due date for babies conceived on this day is around October 10, 2023.

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