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First episode of Today Show
NBC's Today Show premiered, first morning news programme in US.
Tuesday 13 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Benjamin Franklin born (1706) and Jim Carrey born (1962), 256 years apart.
2 / 6 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Its copper-based blood detects bacteria — and pharma bleeds it.
Read on CurioVault.co →Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Michelle Obama1964- Jim Carrey1962
- Muhammad Ali1942
- Benjamin Franklin1706
17 January in history
1 eventEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
We are adding more verified events for this date - more coming soon.
Showing 1 event
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Classic headlineNew Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “Gregory XI, the last Avignon pope, entered Rome after a four-month journey from Avignon, returning the papacy to its original city.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
???? Oddly trueGregory XI, the last Avignon pope, entered Rome after a four-month journey from Avignon, returning the papacy to its original city.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1998 First everThe Drudge Report became the first news source to break the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal to the public.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1773 First everOn James Cook's second voyage, his vessel HMS Resolution became the first vessel to cross the Antarctic Circle.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
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Viewing 17 January — today is 13 October.
Born on this day
4
1706Birth
Benjamin Franklin born
American polymath, inventor and Founding Father Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston.
1942Birth
Muhammad Ali born
Boxer Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky, three-time world heavyweight champion.
1962Birth
Jim Carrey born
Jim Carrey was born. Canadian actor.
1964Birth
Michelle Obama born
Michelle Obama was born. Former US First Lady.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Suicide
2008Death
Heath Ledger dies
Heath Ledger, actor, died on this day in 2008. Accidental prescription drug overdose. Remembered as: Acclaimed performances, including the Joker in The Dark Knight.
Assassinated
1948Death
Mahatma Gandhi dies
Mahatma Gandhi, political ethicist, died on this day in 1948. Assassinated. Remembered as: Leader of the Indian independence movement.
Suicide
1890Death
Vincent van Gogh dies
Vincent van Gogh, painter, died on this day in 1890. Suicide by gunshot. Remembered as: Post-Impressionist whose work deeply influenced 20th-century art.
Suicide
2016Death
Prince dies
Prince, musician, died on this day in 2016. Fentanyl overdose. Remembered as: Innovative artist known for his eclectic work and flamboyant stage presence.
Executed
1793Death
Death of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine in Paris during French Revolution.
Famous birthdays
22 this weekToday · 17 January
- Michelle ObamaFirst Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017Born 1964 · 62 years ago today
- Jim CarreyCanadian and American actor (born 1962)Born 1962 · 64 years ago today
- Muhammad AliAmerican boxer and activist (1942–2016)Born 1942 · 84 years ago today
- Benjamin FranklinAmerican Founding Father and polymath (1706–1790)Born 1706 · 320 years ago today
Coming up this week
Jason SegelAmerican actor, writer (born 1980)18 January · born 1980
Kevin CostnerAmerican actor and filmmaker (born 1955)18 January · born 1955
A.A. MilneEnglish writer (1882–1956)18 January · born 1882
Mac MillerAmerican rapper (1992–2018)19 January · born 1992
Dolly PartonAmerican singer-songwriter (1946–2026)19 January · born 1946
Edgar Allan PoeAmerican writer and critic (1809–1849)19 January · born 1809
Celebration17 January
Benjamin Franklin Day
Celebrates the birth and legacy of the American polymath and founding father.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 17 January.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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