On This Day [ April 17 ]

 

Thursday, April 17, 2025 -Quote Of The Day...

* " Thrift is a wonderful virtue - in an ancestor. "

On This Day In History...

In 0858- Benedict III ends his reign as Catholic Pope

In 1421- Dikes at Dort Holland breaks, 100,000 drown

In 1492- Christopher Columbus signs contract with Spain to find the Indies

In 1521- Martin Luther is excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church

In 1524- Giovanni Verrazano, a florentine navigator, discovers New York Bay

In 1534- Sir Thomas More confined in London Tower

In 1555- Siena surrenders for Spanish troops

In 1596- Arch duke Albrecht of Austria occupies Calais

In 1629- 1st commercial fishery established

In 1704- 1st successful US newspaper; published in Boston by John Campbell

In 1711- Charles VI Habsburg becomes king of Austria

In 1747- French troops occupy Zeeuws-Flanders, Netherlands

In 1758- Francis Williams, 1st US black college graduate, publishes poems

In 1793- Battle of Warsaw

In 1808- Bayonne Decree by Napoleon I of France orders seizure of US ships

In 1817- 1st US school for the deaf founded by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc (American School for the Deaf-Hartford CT)

In 1824- Russia abandons all North American claims south of 54º 40' N

In 1839- Guatemala forms republic

In 1853- US Marine Hospital at Presidio (San Francisco) established

In 1853- Thorbecke government resigns

In 1861- Virginia become 8th state to secede

In 1861- Indianola TX-"Star of West" taken by Confederacy

In 1863- Grierson's Raid La Grange TN to Baton Rouge LA

In 1864- Battle of Plymouth NC

In 1864- Bread revolt in Savannah GA

In 1864- Grant suspends prisoner-of-war exchanges

In 1865- Mary Surratt is arrested as a conspirator in Lincoln's assassination

In 1869- 1st pro baseball games-Cincinnati Reds 24, Cincinnati amateurs 15

In 1875- "Snooker" (variation of pool) invented by Sir Neville Chamberlain

In 1892- 1st Sunday National League baseball game, Cincinnati Reds beat St Louis Cardinals 5-1

In 1895- Treaty of Shimonoseki signed, ends 1st Sino-Japanese War (1894-95)

In 1900- 7 high chiefs of American Samoa sign Instrument of Cession

In 1905- US Supreme court judges maximum work day unconstitutional

In 1907- 11,745 immigrants arrive at Ellis Island NY

In 1912- 1st unofficial gold record (Al Jolson's "Ragging The Baby To Sleep")

In 1920- American Professional Football Association forms (NFL)

In 1923- Longest National League opening game, Phillies & Dodgers tie 5-5 in 14

In 1924- Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures & Louis B Mayer Company merged to form MGM

In 1925- New York Yankee Babe Ruth has ulcer surgery

In 1925- Paul Painlevé follows Edouard Herriot on as French premier

In 1927- Japan's Wakarsoeki government falls/Baron Tanaka becomes premier

In 1930- Abkhazian ASSR established in Georgian SSR

In 1932- Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia ends slavery

In 1933- Chicago Bears win their 1st NFL Game beating New York Giants 23-21

In 1934- The new Fenway Park opens, Washington Senators beat Red Sox 6-5

In 1935- Provincial-National elections (Musserts NSB achieves 7.9%/44 chairs)

In 1937- Cartoon characters Daffy Duck, Elmer J Fudd & Petunia Pig, debut

In 1939- Joe Louis KOs Jack Roper in 1 for heavyweight boxing title

In 1939- Samuel Nathaniel Behrman's "No Time for Comedy", premieres in NYC

In 1939- Stalin signs British-France-Russian anti-nazi pact

In 1941- Office of Price Administration established (to handle rationing)

In 1941- British troop land in Iraq/Yugoslavia; surrender to Nazi's

In 1942- 12 Lancasters bombs MAN-factory in Augsburg

In 1942- Operations begin to destroy Sobibor Concentration Camp

In 1943- Admiral Yamamoto flies from Truk to Rabaul

In 1943- SS-Lieutenant-General Jürgen Stoop arrives in Warsaw

In 1945- 8th Air Force bombs Dresden

In 1945- German occupiers flood Wieringermeer Netherlands

In 1945- Mussolini flees from Salò to Milan

In 1945- US troops lands in Mindanao

In 1946- Last French troops leave Syria (National Day)

In 1946- Syria declares independence from French administration

In 1947- Jackie Robinson bunts for his 1st major league hit

In 1951- New York Yankee Mickey Mantle's 1st game, he goes 1 for 4

In 1953- Mickey Mantle hits a 565' (172 meter) homerun in Washington DC's Griffith Stadium

In 1955- Betty Jameson wins LPGA Babe Didrikson-Zaharias Golf Open

In 1956- USSR's Cominform (Parliament) dissolves

In 1956- Willie Mosconi sinks 150 consecutive balls in a billiard tournament

In 1956- Bulgaria premier Tchervenkov resigns

In 1956- Kominform disbands

In 1956- Premium Savings Bonds introduced in Great Britain

In 1958- Brussel's (Belgium) World Fair opens

In 1960- American Samoa sets up a constitutional government

In 1960- Cleveland Indians trade Rocky Colavito to Tigers for Harvey Kuenn

In 1961- 1,400 Cuban exiles land in Bay of Pigs attempt to overthrow Castro

In 1961- 33rd Academy Awards - "Apartment", Burt Lancaster & Liz Taylor win

In 1964- Ford Mustang formally introduced ($2368 base)

In 1964- "Cafe Crown" opens at Martin Beck Theater NYC for 3 performances

In 1964- "High Spirits" opens at Alvin Theater NYC for 375 performances

In 1964- 1st game at Shea Stadium, New York Mets lose to Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-3

In 1966- 100th international soccer meet between Netherlands-Belgium (3-1)

In 1966- Carol Mann wins LPGA Raleigh Ladies Golf Invitational

In 1967- Shortwave Radio New York Worldwide goes back on the air after a week off

In 1967- Surveyor 3 launched; soft lands on Moon, April 20

In 1968- A's 1st game in Oakland-Alameda Stadium, lose 4-1 to Baltimore Orioles

In 1968- "Fade Out-Fade In" closes at Mark Hellinger Theater NYC after 72 performances

In 1969- Czechoslovakia's Communist Party chairman Alexander Dubcek deposed

In 1969- Montréal Expos Bill Stoneman no-hits Phillies, 7-0

In 1969- Sirhan Sirhan is convicted of assassinating Senator Robert F Kennedy

In 1969- The Band (formerly The Hawks), perform their 1st concert

In 1969- Bernadette Devlin elected to British House of Commons

In 1970- Apollo 13 limps back safely, Beech-built oxygen tank no help

In 1970- Paul McCartney's 1st solo album "McCartney" is released

In 1971- Egypt, Libya & Syria form federation (FAR)

In 1971- People's Republic Bangladesh forms, under sheik Mujib ur-Rahman

In 1972- Kiteman attempting to throw out 1st ball in Phillies' Veterans Stadium crashes into the centerfield seats

In 1972- 1st Boston Women's Marathon won by Nina Kuscsik of New York in 3:10:26

In 1972- 76th Boston Marathon won by Olavi Suomalainen of Finland in 2:15:39

In 1972- Revised Dutch constitution proclaimed

In 1973- 2nd Boston Women's Marathon won by Jacqueline Hansen of CA in 3:05:59

In 1973- 77th Boston Marathon won by Jon Anderson of Oregon in 2:16:03

In 1974- Ted Bundy victim Susan Rancourt disappears from Central Washington State College, Ellensburg WA

In 1974- Moslem fundamentalists assault military academy in Heliopolis Egypt

In 1975- Khmer Rouge captures Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Kampuchea National Day)

In 1975- Pittsburgh Penguins 6-New York Islanders 4-Quarterfinals-Penguins hold 3-0 lead

In 1975- Phnom Penh fell to Communist insurgents, ending Cambodia's 5-year war

In 1976- National League greatest comeback, trailing 12-1 the Phillies win 18-16 in 10, Mike Schmidt hits 4 consecutive homeruns

In 1977- "I Love My Wife" opens at Barrymore Theater NYC for 864 performances

In 1977- Christian-Democrats win Belgium parliamentary election

In 1977- Sandra Palmer wins LPGA Women's International Golf Tournament

In 1978- 63,500,000 shares traded on New York stock exchange (record)

In 1978- 7th Boston Women's Marathon won by Gayle Barron of Georgia in 2:44:52

In 1978- 82nd Boston Marathon won by Bill Rodgers of Massachusetts in 2:10:13

In 1978- Pulitzer prize awarded to Carl Sagan for "Dragons of Eden"

In 1979- Brian Clark's "Whose Life is it Anyway?", premieres in London

In 1981- Isle Potvin's 3 playoff power-play goals tie NHL record vs Oilers

In 1981- Ranger's Anders Hedberg is 2nd to score on a Stanley Cup penalty shot

In 1982- Canada adopts its constitution

In 1982- US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site

In 1983- 1st National Coin Week begins

In 1983- In Warsaw, police route 1,000 Solidarity supporters

In 1983- India entered space age launching SLV-3 rocket

In 1983- Islanders tie NHL record with 3 shorthanded playoff goals vs Rangers; Rangers 7-Islanders 6-Patrick Division Finals-Islanders hold 2-1 lead; Wayne Gretzky scores 7 goals

In 1983- Nolan Ryan strikes out his 3,500th batter

In 1983- Grete Waltz runs female world record marathon (2:25:29)

In 1983- Lynn Adams wins LPGA Combanks Orlando Golf Classic

In 1984- Braves pitcher Pascual Perez suspended due to cocaine usage

In 1984- Libyan embassy demonstration, 1 shot dead

In 1986- IBM produces 1st megabit-chip

In 1986- Netherlands & Scilly Islands sign peace treaty (war of 1651)

In 1986- Pulitzer prize awarded to Larry McMurtry for "Lonesome Dove"

In 1987- Julius Erving becomes the 3rd NBA player to score 30,000 points

In 1987- Richard Wilbur appointed as US poet laureate

In 1987- USSR performs nuclear test at Eastern Kazakhstan/Semipalitinsk USSR

In 1988- Ethiopian Belayneh Densimo runs world record marathon (2:06:50)

In 1988- Nancy Lopez wins LPGA AI Star/Centinela Hospital Golf Classic

In 1989- Maximum New York State unemployment benefits raised to $245 per week

In 1989- Soviet-US agreement allows Soviets to fight US pros

In 1989- 18th Boston Women's Marath won by Ingrid Kristiansen of Norway in 2:24:33

In 1989- 93rd Boston Marathon won by Abebe Mekonen of Ethiopia in 2:09:06

In 1989- Polish labor union granted legal status

In 1990- Gas explodes on passenger train in Kumrahar India, 80 die

In 1991- Railroad workers go on strike in the US

In 1991- Dow Jones closes above 3,000 for 1st time (3,004.46)

In 1993- Police officers found guilty of violating Rodney King's civil rights

In 1993- STS-56 (Discovery) lands

In 1994- "Little More Magic" closes at Belasco Theater NYC after 30 performances

In 1994- "Twilight - Los Angeles 1992" opens at Cort Theater NYC for 72 performances

In 1994- 55th PGA Seniors Golf Championship Lee Trevino wins

In 1994- Aruba government of Oduber falls

In 1994- Jennie Garth weds Dan Clark

In 1994- Val Skinner wins LPGA Atlanta Women's Golf Championship

In 1995- 24th Boston Women's Marathon won by Uta Pippig of Germany in 2:25:11

In 1995- 99th Boston Marathon won by Cosmas Ndeti of Kenya in 2:09:22

In 1997- John Bell, 115, recieves new pacemaker

In 1997- New Jersey Devil Martin Brodeur is 2nd NHL goalie to score in a playoff game

April 17 -Birthdays

In 1539- Tobias Stimmer Swiss painter/cartoonist (Comedia)

In 1573- Maximilian I duke/ruler of Bayern (Catholic League)

In 1586- John Ford English dramatist ('Tis Pity She's a Whore)

In 1587- Marco Ivan Lukacic composer

In 1622- Henry Vaughan English poet (Silex Scintillans)

In 1644- Abraham Jansz Storck painter, baptized

In 1666- François Valentijn Dutch vicar/writer

In 1676- Frederik I [van Hessen Kassel] King of Sweden (1720-51)

In 1683- Johann David Heinichen composer

In 1699- Robert Blair Scottish poet (Grave)

In 1715- Johann Wolfgang Kleinknecht composer

In 1719- Christian Gottfried Krause composer

In 1738- Philip Hayes composer

In 1741- Johann Gottlieb Naumann composer

In 1741- Samuel Chase judge (signed Declaration of Independence)

In 1774- Vaclav Jan Krtitel Tomasek organist/pianist/composer

In 1788- Joseph Gilbert Totten Brevet Major General (Union Army), died in 1864

In 1797- Jean-Baptiste-Joseph Tolbecque Belgian composer/conductor

In 1809- Philip St George Cocke Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1861

In 1811- Ann Sheppard Mounsey composer

In 1813- Henry Washington Benham Brevet Major General (Union Army), died in 1884

In 1820- Gottfried Conradi composer

In 1827- French C Baeckelmans Flemish architect (St Amanduskerk, Antwerp)

In 1837- John Pierpont Morgan US banker/CEO (US Steel)

In 1845- Isabel Barrows US, editor/penologist (Conference on Negro Question)

In 1863- Johannes P Boskaljon Curaçao composer/conductor

In 1868- Charles R Gallas Dutch lexicographer (French dictionary)

In 1869- Johannes M Meulenhoff Dutch publisher

In 1870- Ray Stannard Baker US, journalist (Puliter Prize 1940)

In 1876- Ian Hay Scotland, novelist/playwright (PIp, Carrying On)

In 1881- Anton Wildgans writer

In 1882- Artur Schnabel Lipnik Austria, pianist (Beethoven Piano Sonatas)

In 1883- Hermann Darewsky composer

In 1885- Isak Dinesen Danish writer (Out of Africa, 7 Gothic Tales)

In 1885- Cecil Burleigh composer

In 1885- Karen Blixen-Finecke [Dinesen], Danish writer (Out of Africa)

In 1886- Otto Lederer Czechoslovakia, actor (Jazz Singer)

In 1890- Art Acord Glenwood Sevier UT, western actor (Arizona Kid, Hard Fists)

In 1892- Jean Haesaert Flemish lawyer/sociologist

In 1894- Nikita S Khrushchev 1st Secretary USSR (1953-64)

In 1895- Bert Wheeler actor (Nitwits, Hold 'em Jail, High Flyers, Rainmakers)

In 1896- Senor Wences ventriloquist (his hand acts as a puppet)

In 1897- Harald Saeverud Bergen Norway, composer (Saline)

In 1897- Antonius F "Anton" Coolen Dutch author (Village by the River)

In 1897- Thornton N Wilder US, novelist/playwright (Our Town)

In 1899- Vincent Wigglesworth entomologist

In 19XX- Dennis Dun actor (Midnight Caller, Big Trouble in Little China)

In 19XX- Ralphy Rodriquez rocker (Menudo-Cannonball)

In 1901- George Keyt artist

In 1902- Anton Beuving lyricist (Ketelbinkie)

In 1903- Gregor Piatigorsky Ekaterinoslav Russia, cellist

In 1903- Nicolas Nabokov Near Lubcha Minsk Russia, composer (The Holy Devil)

In 1904- Edward Chodorov playwright/director (Story of Louis Pasteur)

In 1904- Naoomal Jeoomal cricketer (pioneer Indian Test opening batsman)

In 1905- Arthur Lake Corbin KY, actor (Dagwood-Blondie)

In 1905- Louis Jean Heydt Montclair NJ, actor (Joe-Waterfront)

In 1906- M Rooi editor-in-chief (New Rotterdam Daily)

In 1909- Alain Emile Louis Marie Poher politician

In 1909- Humphrey Sims Moore pacifist/journalist

In 1909- Patrick Reilly diplomat

In 1911- Mikhail Botvinnik of USSR, world chess champion (1948-63)

In 1911- Earl of Lauderdale

In 1911- Jean-Pierre Herve Bazin writer

In 1912- Isador Caplan lawyer/Aldeburgh Festival Pioneer

In 1913- Paul Langton Salt Lake City UT, actor (Leslie-Peyton Place)

In 1913- Richard Travis Carlsbad NM, actor (Missile to the Moon)

In 1916- Azijn Banana [Oscar Enau], Antillean publicist

In 1916- David Stafford-Clark psychiatrist

In 1916- Donald Gibson British Vice-Admiral

In 1916- Ryoei Saito businessman

In 1916- Sirimavo Bandaranaike world's 1st woman PM (Sri Lanka, 1960..77)

In 1918- William Holden [Franklin Beedle Jr] O'Fallon IL, actor (Stalag 17, Bridge Over the River Kwai, SOB)

In 1918- Anne Shirley UK, actress (Devil & Daniel Webster, Stella Dallas)

In 1920- Bengt N Anderberg Swedish poet/writer (Kain)

In 1920- Joan "Maudie" Warburton painter

In 1921- Donald Barron CEO (Midland Bank)

In 1923- Harry Reasoner Dakota City IA, newscaster (60 Minutes, ABC, CBS)

In 1923- Lindsay Anderson Bangalore India, director (Thursday's Children)

In 1923- Lloyd Biggle Jr US, sci-fi author (Silence is Deadly)

In 1923- Norman Potter cabinetmaker designer/writer

In 1924- Patrick Sergeant founder (Euromoney Publications)

In 1925- Anne Harris CEO (National Federation of Women's Institutes)

In 1925- John Yates bishop (Lambeth England)

In 1925- Joyce Buck actress/interior designer

In 1926- Arthur Hockaday director-General (Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

In 1926- G M Hughes professor/zoologist

In 1926- Michael Vernon CEO (RNLI)

In 1927- Christopher Whelen composer

In 1927- Tadeusz Mazowiecki premier of Poland (1989-90)

In 1928- Cynthia Ozick US, author (Pagan Rabbi & Other Stories)

In 1929- Eileen Stamers-Smith headmistress (Malvern Girls' College)

In 1929- James Last orchestra leader/composer/arranger

In 1929- Lady (James) Mellon CEO (Volunteer Development Scotland)

In 1930- Chris Barber jazz trombonist

In 1930- Genevieve Paris France, singer (Jack Paar Show, Scruples)

In 1931- Joan Clague director of nursing services (Marie Curie Foundation)

In 1931- John Bartlett tennis player (Davis Cup captain-Britain)

In 1931- John Chalstrey alderman/Lord Mayor (London)

In 1931- Joyce Molyneux chef

In 1931- Ruth Etchells principal (St John's College-Durham)

In 1932- Graziella Sciutti Italian opera singer

In 1932- Han J A Hansen [Jansen] Dutch journalist (King Comes!)

In 1932- Ramsay Melhuish diplomat

In 1933- Monique Van Vooren Brussels Belgium, actress (Warhol's Frankenstein)

In 1933- Penelope Lively writer

In 1933- Tim Rathbone MP

In 1934- Don Kirshner rock & roll producer (invented bubblegum music)

In 1936- Lord Justice Aldous

In 1936- Pete Graves rocker (Moonglows)

In 1937- Brian Sedgemore British MP

In 1937- Daffy Duck animated character

In 1937- Eduard N Stepanov Russian cosmonaut

In 1937- Galina Samsova ballerina

In 1937- Terry Dicks British MP

In 1938- David Dilks vice-chancellor (Hull U)

In 1938- K M P O'Brien archbishop (St Andrews & Edinburgh)

In 1939- Robin Knox-Johnston yachtsman

In 1941- Bill Fury Liverpool England, vocalist/guitarist (When Will You Say I Love You)

In 1941- Adolphus Hailstork composer

In 1941- Max Stafford-Clark artistic director (Royal Court Theatre)

In 1942- Mario Brenta writer/director (Maicol, Barnabo of the Mountains)

In 1943- Roy Estrada rocker (Morthers Of Invention)

In 1944- John Lill professor/pianist

In 1945- Vincent A M van der Burg Dutch MP (CDA)

In 1946- Clare Francis yachtswoman/novelist (Come Hell or High Water)

In 1946- Henry Kelly British broadcaster

In 1946- J R Baines professor (Egyptologist)

In 1947- Charles Frank Olympia WA, actor (Chisholms, Emerald Point NAS)

In 1948- Jan Hammer composer (Escape from TV, Miami Vice)

In 1948- Viscount Bridport

In 1949- Heini Hemmi Switzerland, giant slalom (Olympics-gold-1976)

In 1949- John Oates New York NY, rock guitarist/vocalist (Hall & Oates-Rich Girl)

In 1951- Olivia Hussey Buenos Aires, actress (Romeo & Juliet, Death on Nile)

In 1954- Kim Tyler Hollywood CA, actress (Kyle-Please Don't Eat Daisies)

In 1954- Riccardo Patrese driver (Grand Prix)

In 1955- Pete Shelley vocal/guitar (Buzzcocks-Going Steady, Love Bites)

In 1955- Peter Michalke journalist

In 1955- Rob Bolland Dutch singer/guitarist (Bolland & Bolland)

In 1956- Kaye Young Cowher WBL forward (New York Stars, New Jersey Gems)

In 1956- Pillow [Therese Joan Bell] California, bodybuilder (Gold Classic 1983)

In 1958- Byron Cherry Atlanta GA, actor (Coy-Dukes of Hazzard)

In 1958- Sergei Yuriyevich Vozovikov Russian Major/cosmonaut

In 1959- Teri Austin Toronto Ontario Canada, actress (Terminal Choice, Knots Landing)

In 1959- David Hearn Washington DC, slalom single canoe (Olympics-9th-96)

In 1959- Elizabeth Lindsey actress (China Beach)

In 1959- Stephen Singleton Sheffield, rocker (ABC)

In 1960- Michael Whitaker showjumper

In 1961- [Norman] Boomer Esiason West Islip NY, NFL quarterback (Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets)

In 1961- Norman Cowans cricketer (England fast bowler in 19 Tests 1982-85)

In 1962- Nancy Hogshead Iowa City IA, swimmer (Olympics-gold-1984)/model (jockey)

In 1964- Ken Daneyko Windsor, NHL defenseman (New Jersey Devils)

In 1964- Raye Hollit American Gladiator (Zap)

In 1966- Lela Rochon actress (Waiting to Exhale)

In 1966- Susie Redman Salem OH, LPGA golfer (1995 Nabisco Dinah Shore-2nd)

In 1967- Leslie Bega Los Angeles CA, actress (Maria Tomlinson-Head of the Class)

In 1967- Timothy Gibbs Burbank CA, actor (Father Murphy, Santa Barbara)

In 1967- Aaron Wallace NFL defensive end/linebacker (Oakland Raiders)

In 1967- Marquis Grisom Atlanta GA, outfielder (Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians)

In 1968- Maurits Prince of Netherlands

In 1968- Ritchie Woodhall boxer

In 1968- Roger Twose cricketer (Warwickshire batsman, New Zealand 1995)

In 1969- Alexander McQueen fashion designer

In 1970- Tony Sacca WLAF quarterback (Barcelona Dragons)

In 1971- David Oliver Sechelt, NHL right wing (Edmonton Oilers)

In 1972- Benjamin Dodwell Australian rower (Olympics-96)

In 1972- Gordon Laro NFL tight end (Jacksonville Jaguars)

In 1972- Keith Lyle safety (St Louis Rams)

In 1972- Muttiah Muralitharan cricketer (leading Sri Lankan Test off-spinner)

In 1972- Tony Boselli NFL offensive tackle (Jacksonville Jaguars)

In 1973- Brett Maher Adelaide SA Australia, basketball guard (Olympics-96)

In 1973- Gene Makowsky CFL offensive linebacker (Saskatchewan Roughriders)

In 1973- Jeff Lewis NFL quarterback (Denver Broncos-Superbowl 32)

In 1973- Kenneth Carlsen Denmark, tennis star

In 1973- Ross Aloisi Australian soccer midfielder (Olyroos, Olympics-96)

In 1973- Theo Ratliff NBA forward/center (Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers)

In 1974- James Hamilton linebacker (Jacksonville Jaguars)

In 1974- Marcel Nijenhuis soccer player (NEC)

In 1975- Trifun Zivanovic Santa Monica, figure skater (1995 Pac Coast Jr champion)

In 1976- Nadine Thomas Miss Jamaica-Universe (1997)

In 1977- Pascal de Vries soccer player (FC Twente)

In 1978- Bilal Abdul-samad rocker (Boys)

In 1979- Tram-Anh Tran actress (Ghostwriters')

In 1980- Crystal Carlson Miss Maine Teen-USA (1997)

April 17 -Deaths Which Occurred

In 0485- Proclus Greek mathematician, dies in Athens

In 0818- Bernhard I King of Italy, dies

In 0858- Benedict III Italian Pope (855-58), dies

In 1272- Zita/Cita Italian maid/saint, dies at about 59

In 1297- Willem van Afflighem Flemish poet/abbot St Truiden, dies at about 86

In 1427- Jan IV duke of Brabant/Limburg/wife of Jacoba van Bayern, dies

In 1574- Joachim Camerarius [Liebhard Kammerer] German philologist, dies

In 1630- Christian I ruler of Anhalt-Bernburg (battle of White Mountain), dies

In 1679- John van Kessel Flemish painter, dies at 53

In 1711- Jozef I [Habsburg] emperor of Germany (1705-11), dies at about 32

In 1714- Philipp Heinrich Erlebach composer, dies at 56

In 1726- Henriëtte Amalia ruler of Nassau-Dietz, dies at 49

In 1764- Johann Mattheson German composer/musicologist, dies at 82

In 1790- Benjamin Franklin US, (Poor Richard's Almanac), dies at 84

In 1835- William Henry Ireland forger (Shakespearean manuscripts), dies

In 1837- Edouard viscount de Walckiers very wealthy slave trader, dies

In 1838- J Schopenhauer writer, dies at 71

In 1854- Gottlob Wiedebein composer, dies at 74

In 1863- Daniel Smith Donelson Confederate General/cousin of Andrew Jackson, dies at 61

In 1873- Semyon Stepanovich Gulak-Artemovsky composer, dies at 60

In 1890- John Barnett composer, dies at 87

In 1891- Jules Eugene Abraham Alary composer, dies at 77

In 1899- Hans Balatka composer, dies at 74

In 1915- Johannes P Kelly [Kellij] Dutch actor/operetta writer, dies at 60

In 1936- Charles J M Ruys de Beerenbrouck Dutch PM (1918-23, 29-33), dies

In 1944- J T Hearne cricketer (took 49 wickets in 12 Tests for England), dies

In 1945- Hannie Schaft "Girl with red hair", executed

In 1945- Ion Pillat Romaniams poet/Senator (Umbra timpului), dies

In 1945- Walter Model German fieldmarshal, commits suicide at 54

In 1946- John Iddon cricketer (car accident 5 Tests for England 1934-35), dies

In 1948- Johan P Earl of Limburg Stirum diplomat, dies at 75

In 1948- Percy Sherwell cricketer (South Africa captain in 13 Tests 1905-11), dies

In 1960- Eddie Cochran rocker, dies in an auto accident at 21

In 1962- Louise Fazenda dies of cerebral hemorrhage at 66

In 1968- Margaret Seddon dies at 95

In 1970- Sergei Aleksi patriarch of Russian-Orthodox church, dies at 92

In 1971- Roberto Lupi composer, dies at 62

In 1974- Frank McGee Today show host, dies of cancer at 52

In 1974- Herbert Elwell US composer (Happy Hypocrite), dies at 75

In 1974- Vinnie Taylor rocker (Canned Heat), dies of a drug overdose

In 1976- Jean-Jacques Gailliard Belgian painter, dies at 85

In 1977- Marjorie Gateson actress (One Man's Family), dies at 86

In 1983- Felix Pappalardi rocker (Cream, Mountain), dies

In 1983- Peter Potter DJ (Peter Potter Show, Juke Box Jury), dies at 78

In 1983- Mark W Clark US General (WWII), dies at 87

In 1985- Ilona Bodden writer, dies

In 1986- Bessie Head writer, dies

In 1987- Dick Shawn comedian (Producers), dies on stage from a heart attack at 63

In 1987- Carlton Barrett Jamaican reggae drummer (No woman no cry), dies at 36

In 1988- Eva Novak actress (Medicine Man), dies of pneumonia at 90

In 1988- Louise Nevelson sculptor, dies of brain tumor at 88

In 1989- Charles Lampkin dies

In 1990- Reverend Ralph David Abernathy civil rights activist, dies at 64

In 1991- Jack Yellen US poet (Sons o' Fun), dies at 97

In 1992- Hank Penny country music singer, dies at 73 of heart failure

In 1993- Turgut Özal President of Turkey (1989-93), dies at 65

In 1994- Peter Hacker US journalist/actor (NBC, Broadcast News), dies at 69

In 1995- A R A (Anton) Murray cricketer (289 runs & 11 wickets in 10 Tests), dies

In 1995- Nancy Mayhew Youngman artist/educator, dies at 88

In 1996- Eva Jones poet/novelist, dies at 82

In 1996- Jose Luis Lopez Aranguren philosopher, dies at 86

In 1996- Michele Carew daughter of baseball great Rod, dies of Leukemia at 18

In 1997- Chaim Herzog President of Israel (1983-93), dies at 78

April 17 -Holidays

* American Samoa : Flag Day (1900)

* Burma : New Years

* Democratic Kampuchea : Day of the Great Victory

* Japan : Children's Protection Day

* New York NY : Verrazano Day (1524)

* Syria : Evacuation Day/Independence Day (1946)

* Massachusetts, Maine : Patriots Day-Boston Marathon run (1775) - - - - - ( Monday )

April 17 -Religious History

In 1640- Reorus Torkillus, 41, from Sweden, landed at Fort Christie in Delaware, making him the first Lutheran pastor to arrive in North America.

In 1776- English founder of Methodism John Wesley wrote in a letter: 'You have now such faith as is necessary for your living unto God. As yet you are not called to die. When you are, you shall have faith for this also.'

In 1833- English historian and statesman Thomas B. Macaulay declared: 'The whole history of Christianity proves that she has little indeed to fear from persecution as a foe, but much to fear from persecution as an ally.'

In 1920- Birth of Robert G. Bratcher, principal translator of the American Bible Society's 1966-1976 "Good News Bible" (also known as "Today's English Version").

In 1960- Swedish statesman and Secretary General of the U.N. Dag Hammarskjld noted in his journal "Markings": 'Forgiveness breaks the chain of causality because he who forgives you -- out of love - - takes upon himself the consequences of what you have done. Forgiveness, therefore, always entails a sacrifice.'