Today in History - January 17th


  • 1377 - On this day in history, The Papal See was transferred France back to Rome. 
  • 1773 - Captain Cook's Resolution became the first ship to cross the Antarctic Circle. 
  • 1893 - Today in history, Hawaii's monarchy was overthrown when a group of businessmen forced Queen Liliuokalani to leave the throne. 
  • 1900 - Yaqui Indians in Texas proclaimed their independence from Mexico.
  • 1900 - On this day in history, Mormon Brigham Roberts was denied a seat in the House of Representatives for practicing polygamy.
  • 1913 - All interests in 36 Golden Rule Stores were consolidated and incorporated in Utah into one company: The JC. Penney Company. 
  • 1946 - Today in history, The United Nations Security Council held its first meeting. 
  • 1961 - In his farewell address, President Eisenhower spoke against the rise of "the military-industrial complex." 
  • 1987 - On this day in history, President Reagan signed secret order permitting secret sale of arms to Iran.
  • 1998 - President Clinton gave his deposition in the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit against him, to become the first U.S. President to testify as a defendant in a criminal or civil lawsuit. 
  • 2000 - Today in history, British pharmaceutical companies Glaxo Wellcome PLC and SmithKline Beecham PLC merged to create the world's largest drugmaker. 

SCIENCE, DISCOVERIES, PATENTS - Today in History, January 17th

  • 1871 - Andrew S. Hallidie received a patent for a cable car system. 
  • 1882 - On this day in history, Thomas Edison's exhibit opened the Crystal Palace Exhibition in London.
  • 1905 - Punchboards were patented by a manufacturing firm in Chicago.
  • 1928 - Today in history, the automatic, film-developing machine was patented by A.M. Josepho. 
  • 1934 - Ferdinand Porsche submitted a design for a people's car, a "Volkswagen," to the new German government. 

SPORTS - Today in History, January 17th

  • 1916 - On this day in history, the Professional Golfers Association was formed in New York City. 
  • 1997 - NBA suspended Dennis Rodman indefinitely.
  • 2013 - Today in history, after stripping Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France Titles, the IOC took away the cyclist's bronze medal from Olympics; and he was found guilty of doping.

MUSIC HISTORY - Today in History, January 17th

  • 1969 - "Lady Samantha" was released in England. It was one of the very first recordings by Elton John. 
  • 1971 - On this day in history, Marvin Gaye sang the national anthem at SuperBowl V. 
  • 1996 - Pink Floyd was officially inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. 
  • 1999 - Today in history, Cyndi Lauper was a voice on the TV show "The Simpsons." 

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS - January 17th

  • Benjamin Franklin 1706 
  • Anton Chekhov 1860 
  • Al Capone 1899 
  • Betty White 1922 
  • Eartha Kitt 1927 
  • Vidal Sassoon 1928
  • Troy Donahue 1937 
  • Maury Povich 1939 
  • Muhammad Ali 1942