February 17

Saturday 17, 1996:

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, world champion Garry Kasparov beats the Deep Blue supercomputer in a chess match.

Friday 17, 1995:

The Cenepa War between Peru and Ecuador ends on a cease-fire brokered by the UN.

Monday 17, 1992:

A court in Milwaukee, Wisconsin sentences serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer to life in prison.

Saturday 17, 1979:

The Sino-Vietnamese War begins.

Sunday 17, 1974:

Robert Preston, a disgruntled U.S. Army private, buzzes the White House with a stolen helicopter.

Thursday 17, 1972:

Sales of the Volkswagen Beetle model exceed those of Ford Model-T.

Saturday 17, 1968:

In Springfield, Massachusetts the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opens.

Monday 17, 1964:

In Wesberry v. Sanders the Supreme Court of the United States rules that congressional districts have to be approximately equal in population.

Tuesday 17, 1959:

The first weather satellite, Vanguard 2, was launched to measure cloud-cover distribution.

Monday 17, 1958:

Pope Pius XII declares Saint Clare of Assisi (1193~1253) the patron saint of television

Sunday 17, 1957:

A fire at an elderly home in Warrenton, Missouri kills 72 people.

Thursday 17, 1955:

Christian Pineau becomes Prime Minister of France

Monday 17, 1947:

Propaganda: The Voice of America begins to transmit radio broadcasts into the Soviet Union.

Thursday 17, 1944:

World War II: Battle of Eniwetok Atoll begins. The battle ended in an American victory on February 22.

Friday 17, 1933:

The Blaine Act ends Prohibition in the United States.

Sunday 17, 1924:

In Miami, Florida, Johnny Weissmuller sets a new world record in the 100-yard freestyle swimming competition with a time of 52-2/5 seconds.

Monday 17, 1913:

The Armory Show opens in New York City. It displays works of artists who are to become some of the most influential painters of the early 20th century.

Sunday 17, 1895:

Swan Lake, one of the most famous and critically-acclaimed ballets, with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, was first performed at full length in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Sunday 17, 1867:

The first ship passes through the Suez Canal.

Friday 17, 1865:

American Civil War: Columbia, South Carolina burns as Confederate forces flee from advancing Union forces.

Friday 17, 1854:

The British recognize the independence of the Orange Free State.

Wednesday 17, 1819:

The United States House of Representatives passes the Missouri Compromise.

Thursday 17, 1814:

Battle of Mormans

Tuesday 17, 1801:

An electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr is resolved when Jefferson is elected President of the United States and Burr Vice President by the United States House of Representatives.

Saturday 17, 1753:

February 17 is followed by March 1 as Sweden moves to the Gregorian from the Julian calendar.

Wednesday 17, 1621:

Miles Standish is appointed as first commander of Plymouth colony.

Saturday 17, 1500:

Battle of Hemmingstedt

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