1964⚡ Event
Lake Burley Griffin Inaugurated
Prime Minister Robert Menzies inaugurated the artificial Lake Burley Griffin in the Australian capital Canberra.
politics
What Happened on October 17?
Discover 15 historical moments on October 17 — 5 events, 5 birthdays, and 5 notable deaths spanning centuries of human history.
sportspoliticslawdisasterentertainmentwarmusicscience
Hero image inspired by: Andrew Schally
Historical Events on October 17(5)
1973⚡ Event
Yom Kippur War: Battle of the Chinese Farm
Egyptian forces retreated from the Battle of the Chinese Farm, allowing Israeli forces to build their first bridge across the Suez Canal.
war
1992⚡ Event
Yoshihiro Hattori shooting
Yoshihiro Hattori, a Japanese exchange student, was shot and killed by a homeowner after going to the wrong house for a Halloween party.
lawdisaster
2000⚡ Event
Hatfield rail crash
A fatal rail crash at Hatfield, Hertfordshire, led to widespread speed limit reductions and the collapse of Railtrack.
disasterlaw
2001⚡ Event
Assassination of Rehavam Ze'evi
Rehavam Ze'evi, the Israeli minister of tourism, was assassinated in revenge for the killing of PFLP leader Abu Ali Mustafa.
politicslaw
Famous Birthdays on October 17(5)
Notable Deaths on October 17(5)
2017🕊️ Death
Gord Downie
Gord Downie, Canadian musician and frontman of The Tragically Hip, died at the age of 53. He was known for his poetic lyrics and passionate stage presence.
music
2019🕊️ Death
Elijah Cummings
Elijah Cummings was an American politician and civil rights advocate.
politics
2024🕊️ Death
Andrew Schally
Andrew Schally was a Polish-American endocrinologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
sciencemedicine
October 17 in History
October 17 is home to 15 recorded historical entries in our collection, including 5 notable events, 5 famous birthdays, and 5 deaths. This date has witnessed momentous occasions spanning from 1964 to the present day.
Major Events on October 17
Among the most notable events on October 17: Lake Burley Griffin Inaugurated (1964), Yom Kippur War: Battle of the Chinese Farm (1973), Yoshihiro Hattori shooting (1992). View all events →
Famous Birthdays on October 17
Notable figures born on October 17 include Jamal Adams, Jake DeBrusk, Robert Williams III. View all birthdays →
Notable Deaths on October 17
Remembered figures who died on October 17 include Gord Downie, Elijah Cummings, Mitzi Gaynor. View all →
Browse what happened on October 16 or October 18, explore the full month of October, or discover a random historical fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on October 17?
- October 17 is home to 15 recorded historical entries, including 5 notable events, 5 famous birthdays, and 5 notable deaths.
- What is the most notable event on October 17?
- One of the most notable events on October 17 is: Lake Burley Griffin Inaugurated.
- Who was born on October 17?
- Famous figures born on October 17 include Jamal Adams, Jake DeBrusk, Robert Williams III.
- How many historical events happened on October 17?
- Our collection records 5 historical events on October 17, spanning centuries of world history.
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