In History, Today on October 17

The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Ben S. Bernanke, Douglas W. Diamond, and Philip H. Dybvig for their research on banks and financial crises.

Colin Powell, the first African American U.S. Secretary of State, passed away due to complications related to COVID-19.

The United Kingdom and the European Union reached a new Brexit deal, which was later rejected by the UK Parliament.

Canada became the second country in the world to legalize the recreational use of cannabis, following Uruguay.

The Syrian Democratic Forces announced the liberation of Raqqa from ISIS control, marking a significant milestone in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria.

The European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed that its ATV-3, Edoardo Amaldi, had undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) after completing a six-month mission. The Automated Transfer Vehicle resupplied the ISS with fuel, water, air, and dry cargo.

The Occupy Wall Street movement, which began in New York City, spread to cities across the United States and around the world, with protests occurring in places like London, Rome, and Sydney.

NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission confirmed the presence of significant amounts of water ice on the Moon's south pole.

The United States population officially reached 300 million according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan, was topped out, making it the tallest building in the world at the time.

The United States Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, enhancing law enforcement investigatory tools regarding counter-terrorism.

The Loma Prieta earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area, causing significant damage and loss of life, and interrupting the World Series.

The Department of Education Organization Act was signed into law, creating the United States Department of Education. This act separated education responsibilities from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and established Education as a cabinet-level agency.

OPEC announced an oil embargo against countries supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War, leading to the 1973 oil crisis.

In Paris, a peaceful demonstration by Algerians requesting independence from France ended in tragedy as police responded with violence. The police crackdown resulted in the deaths of dozens of protestors, though the exact number remains disputed, with some estimates suggesting up to 200 deaths.

A massive demonstration of workers in Buenos Aires demanded the release of Juan Perón, leading to his return to power and eventual presidency of Argentina.

The USS Kearny, a United States Navy destroyer, was torpedoed by a German U-boat near Iceland, resulting in the deaths of 11 sailors, escalating tensions between the U.S. and Germany prior to America's entry into World War II.

Al Capone was convicted of income tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in prison, marking a significant victory for law enforcement against organized crime.

Guglielmo Marconi's company began the first commercial transatlantic wireless service between Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, and Clifden, Ireland.

Thomas Edison filed a patent for the Optical Phonograph (the first patented movies).

The first Open Championship in golf, also known as the British Open, was held at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland.

The London Beer Flood occurred when a vat at the Meux and Company Brewery burst, causing over 323,000 imperial gallons of beer to flood the streets, resulting in eight deaths.

The Treaty of Campo Formio is signed between France and Austria, ending the War of the First Coalition in favor of France. This treaty resulted in significant territorial gains for France and ended Austria's participation in the first phase of the French Revolutionary Wars.

British General John Burgoyne surrendered to American forces at Saratoga, marking a turning point in the American Revolutionary War.

The Nine Years' War began with France declaring war on Spain, marking the start of a series of conflicts involving major European powers.

Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy, recognizing Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church of England and formalizing the break with the Roman Catholic Church.

The Spanish Inquisition was established by the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile.

The Second Battle of Kosovo began between the Ottoman Empire and a coalition of Hungarian and Wallachian forces, resulting in an Ottoman victory.

The Battle of Neville's Cross took place, where English forces defeated the Scots, capturing King David II of Scotland.

The London Tornado of 1091 struck the city of London, causing significant damage to the wooden buildings and the church of St. Mary-le-Bow.

Cyrus the Great of Persia entered the city of Babylon, marking the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.