In History, Today on February 17

Nigeria delays its general election by one week, just hours before polls were due to open.

Copenhagen shootings suspect is shot dead after two fatal attacks in Denmark.

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.

A bomb attack in Hyderabad, India, killed at least 16 people and injured more than 100 others.

The Libyan Civil War began with protests in Benghazi against Muammar Gaddafi's government, leading to a full-scale conflict and international intervention.

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.

A NASA spacecraft, NEAR Shoemaker, is launched on a mission to study the asteroid 433 Eros.

China launched a brief, but bloody, invasion of Vietnam, known as the Sino-Vietnamese War.

The Volkswagen Beetle becomes the world's best-selling car, surpassing the previous record held by the Ford Model T.

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Wesberry v. Sanders that congressional districts must have roughly equal populations, upholding the principle of 'one person, one vote.'

Voice of America, the official external radio and television service of the U.S. government, started broadcasting to the Soviet Union.

The Blaine Act, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment and ended Prohibition in the United States, was passed by the U.S. Senate.

Madama Butterfly, an opera by Giacomo Puccini, premieres at La Scala in Milan.

The United States Congress begins its first impeachment trial of a sitting cabinet member, Secretary of War William W. Belknap, who resigned after being accused of accepting bribes.

Columbia, South Carolina, is burned as Confederate forces evacuate and Union forces move through. The responsibility for the burning remains a subject of historical debate.

The H.L. Hunley became the first submarine to sink an enemy warship during the American Civil War.

The Republic of Texas was officially granted a flag similar to the current state flag by President Sam Houston, known as the Lone Star Flag.

The United States House of Representatives passed the Missouri Compromise, which aimed to balance the power between slave and free 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.

The British Museum is established by an Act of Parliament.

Philosopher Giordano Bruno was executed for heresy in Rome.

The Northern Third Order, a nobleman-led faction, declares itself openly against Magnus IV of Sweden, known as Magnus Eriksson. This reflects the increasing domestic strife and power struggles within Sweden during his reign.

Caliph al-Mustakfi, the Abbasid caliph, is deposed by emir Tuzun, marking a significant period of political instability in the Abbasid caliphate.

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.

Roman Emperor Jovian dies after a reign of eight months. He is succeeded by Valentinian I, who becomes Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.