December 1917

Monday 03:

After nearly 20 years of planning and construction, the Quebec Bridge opens to traffic (the bridge partially collapsed on August 29, 1907 and September 11, 1916).

Thursday 06:

Halifax Explosion kills more than 1900 people, destroys part of the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Friday 07:

World War I: United States declares war on Austria-Hungary.

Wednesday 12:

In Nebraska, Father Edward J. Flanagan founds Boys Town as a farm village for wayward boys (in 1979 it was opened to girls as well).

Thursday 20:

Cheka, first Soviet secret police, founded

Tuesday 25:

Why Marry?, first dramatic play to win a Pulitzer Prize, opens at the Astor Theatre in New York City