Roman Emperor Jovian dies after a reign of eight months. He is succeeded by Valentinian I, who becomes Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
What happened in history on February 17?
Year
364
Dadastana, Roman Empire
Year
624
Badr, Saudi Arabia
The Battle of Badr, a key battle in early Islamic history, takes place. It is the first major battle between the Muslims and the Quraysh of Mecca, resulting in a decisive Muslim victory.
Year
1600
Rome, Italy
Philosopher Giordano Bruno was executed for heresy in Rome.
Year
1753
London, United Kingdom
The British Museum is established by an Act of Parliament.
Year
1801
Washington, D.C., United States
An electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr was resolved when Jefferson was elected President of the United States by the House of Representatives.
Year
1864
Charleston, United States
The H.L. Hunley became the first submarine to sink an enemy warship during the American Civil War.
Year
1904
Milan, Italy
Madama Butterfly, an opera by Giacomo Puccini, premieres at La Scala in Milan.
Year
1933
Washington, D.C., United States
The Blaine Act, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment and ended Prohibition in the United States, was passed by the U.S. Senate.
Year
1972
Wolfsburg, Germany
The Volkswagen Beetle becomes the world's best-selling car, surpassing the previous record held by the Ford Model T.
Year
1979
Lang Son, Vietnam
China launched a brief, but bloody, invasion of Vietnam, known as the Sino-Vietnamese War.
Year
1996
Cape Canaveral, United States
A NASA spacecraft, NEAR Shoemaker, is launched on a mission to study the asteroid 433 Eros.
Year
2008
Pristina, Kosovo
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia, a move that was recognized by the United States and several European Union countries, but opposed by Serbia and Russia.
Year
2011
Benghazi, Libya
The Libyan Civil War began with protests in Benghazi against Muammar Gaddafi's government, leading to a full-scale conflict and international intervention.
Year
2014
Kyiv, Ukraine
The Ukrainian parliament passed a law granting amnesty to protesters involved in the Euromaidan demonstrations, which were part of a larger movement against President Yanukovych's government.
Year
2019
Pulwama, India
A suicide bombing in Pulwama, India, killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, escalating tensions between India and Pakistan and leading to military confrontations between the two countries.