From the archives
Classic headlineAstronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Tuesday 13 October 2026
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From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Its copper-based blood detects bacteria — and pharma bleeds it.
Read on CurioVault.co →17 April in history
0 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
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What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News
Strange but true headlines of the day
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Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “Catalpa rescue: The rescue of six Fenian prisoners from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
???? Oddly trueCatalpa rescue: The rescue of six Fenian prisoners from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1783 Oddly trueThe Mechanical Turk (pictured), a fraudulent chess-playing "machine" by Wolfgang von Kempelen that was secretly controlled by a hidden human, began a tour of Europe.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1895 First everThe Treaty of Shimonoseki between China and Japan is signed. This marks the end of the First Sino-Japanese War, and the defeated Qing Empire is forced to renounce its claims on Korea and to concede the southern portion of the Fengtian province, Taiwan and the Penghu to Japan.
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 April — today is 13 October.
Born on this day
0No recorded births.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Accident
1997Death
Diana, Princess of Wales dies
Diana, Princess of Wales, member of british royal family, died on this day in 1997. Car crash in Paris. Remembered as: Global humanitarian and celebrated royal figure.
Assassinated
1980Death
John Lennon dies
John Lennon, musician, died on this day in 1980. Assassinated in New York City. Remembered as: Co-lead vocalist and founder of The Beatles.
Assassinated
44 BCDeath
Julius Caesar dies
Julius Caesar, roman general/statesman, died on this day in 44 BC. Assassinated by Roman senators. Remembered as: Critical role in the demise of the Roman Republic.
Accident
2020Death
Kobe Bryant dies
Kobe Bryant, professional basketball player, died on this day in 2020. Helicopter crash. Remembered as: Five-time NBA champion with the LA Lakers.
Suicide
2014Death
Robin Williams dies
Robin Williams, actor and comedian, died on this day in 2014. Suicide. Remembered as: Known for his improvisational skills and wide variety of roles.
Famous birthdays
1 this weekToday · 17 April
No famous birthdays recorded for 17 April yet.
Coming up this week
Karl MarxGerman philosopher and socialist (1818–1883)22 April · born 1818
Day of Recognition17 April
World Hemophilia Day
Raises awareness and support for people living with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.
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 April.
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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