History Snacks

What happened in history on February 17?

Year

364

Dadastana, Roman Empire

Roman Emperor Jovian dies after a reign of eight months. He is succeeded by Valentinian I, who becomes Emperor of the Western 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The Blaine Act, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment and ended Prohibition in the United States, was passed by the U.S. Senate.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.