February 17 – Today In History
We take a look at some of the events that occurred on February 17th.
Today In …
1801 - Congress officially elected Thomas Jefferson as the third President of the United States.
1819 - The Missouri Compromise was passed by Congress.
1864 - The H.L. Hunley sank the U.S.S. Housatonic during the Civil War. This was the first time that a submarine had sunk a military warship.
1867 - The first ship ever to sail through the Suez Canal made their trip today!
1904 - The renowned opera “Madame Butterfly” made its world debut in Milan.
1933 - Congress passed the Blaine Act which officially repealed Prohibition.
Sharing A Birthday Today…
Kelly Carlson who co-starred in the film “The Marine” as well as TV’s “Nip/Tuck” was born in 1976.
Jim Brown former NFL player and actor who appeared in “The Dirty Dozen” was born in 1936.
Janice Dickinson the renowned model and TV star was born in 1953.
Kathleen Freeman the actress who starred in such films as “Blues Brothers” and “Singin’ in the Rain” was born in 1919.
Ron Goodwin the composer of such scores as “Frenzy” was born in 1925.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt the actor who starred on TV’s “3rd Rock From the Sun” and in the movie “10 Things I Hate About You” was born in 1981.
Paris Hilton the heiress/actress who starred in “House of Wax” was born in 1981.
Hal Holbrook who starred on TV’s “Evening Shade” and in the 1980’s horror flick “The Fog” was born in 1925.
Michael Jordan the legendary NBA player was born in 1963.
Richard Karn who is probably best known as Al from TV’s “Home Improvement” and host of the game show “Family Feud” was born in 1956.
Arthur Kennedy who appeared in “Lawrence of Arabia” was born in 1914.
Marc Lawrence the actor who appeared in such films as “Four Rooms”, “From Dusk ‘til Dawn” and “Marathon Man” was born in 1910.
Loreena McKennitt the Canadian singer who sang the hit song “Mummer’s Dance” was born in 1957.
Mary Ann Mobley actress and former Miss America was born in 1939.
Jerry O’Connell who has appeared in “Stand By Me” and TV’s “Crossing Jordan” was born in 1974.
Lou Diamond Phillips who has starred in “La Bamba” and “Young Guns” was born in 1962.
Gene Pitney the singer of such songs as “Town Without Pity” and writer of the hit song “Hello Mary Lou” was born in 1941.
Dominic Purcell who has starred in “Blade: Trinity” and on TV’s “Prison Break” was born in 1970.
Denise Richards the actress who starred in “Starship Troopers” and was a Bond girl in “The World is Not Enough” was born in 1971.
Jason Ritter who starred on TV’s “Joan of Arcadia” was born in 1980.
Rene Russo the actress who has starred in “Ransom” and “The Thomas Crowne Affair” was born in 1954.
Margaret Truman author and daughter of President Harry S. Truman was born in 1924.
Aaron Montgomery Ward entrepreneur and founder of the department store Montgomery Ward was born in 1844.
Bonnie Wright who is probably best known as Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter movies was born in 1991.
We Said Goodbye To…
Geronimo the legendary leader of the Apaches passed away in 1909 at the age of 79.
Thelonious Monk renowned composer and jazz musician passed away in 1982 at the age of 64.
Lee Strasberg who appeared in “The Godfather II” passed away in 1982 at the age of 81.
Top Of The Charts On This Day In…
1962 - “Duke of Earl” by Gene Chandler
Memorable Sports Moments In…
1924 - Johnny Weissmuller, who would later gain fame as Tarzan, set a new world’s record in the 100 yard freestyle in swimming.
1968 - The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opened in Springfield, Massachusetts.
In Print In…
1933 - The first issue of “Newsweek” was published.
1933 - In the legendary “Blondie” comic strip, Dagwood Bumstead officially married Blondie Boopadoop!
1939 - “The Phantom” was first published today!
1958 - The syndicated comic strip “BC” debuted today.
Don’t forget about the Today In History Newsletter!
Today In …
1801 - Congress officially elected Thomas Jefferson as the third President of the United States.
1819 - The Missouri Compromise was passed by Congress.
1864 - The H.L. Hunley sank the U.S.S. Housatonic during the Civil War. This was the first time that a submarine had sunk a military warship.
1867 - The first ship ever to sail through the Suez Canal made their trip today!
1904 - The renowned opera “Madame Butterfly” made its world debut in Milan.
1933 - Congress passed the Blaine Act which officially repealed Prohibition.
Sharing A Birthday Today…
Kelly Carlson who co-starred in the film “The Marine” as well as TV’s “Nip/Tuck” was born in 1976.
Jim Brown former NFL player and actor who appeared in “The Dirty Dozen” was born in 1936.
Janice Dickinson the renowned model and TV star was born in 1953.
Kathleen Freeman the actress who starred in such films as “Blues Brothers” and “Singin’ in the Rain” was born in 1919.
Ron Goodwin the composer of such scores as “Frenzy” was born in 1925.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt the actor who starred on TV’s “3rd Rock From the Sun” and in the movie “10 Things I Hate About You” was born in 1981.
Paris Hilton the heiress/actress who starred in “House of Wax” was born in 1981.
Hal Holbrook who starred on TV’s “Evening Shade” and in the 1980’s horror flick “The Fog” was born in 1925.
Michael Jordan the legendary NBA player was born in 1963.
Richard Karn who is probably best known as Al from TV’s “Home Improvement” and host of the game show “Family Feud” was born in 1956.
Arthur Kennedy who appeared in “Lawrence of Arabia” was born in 1914.
Marc Lawrence the actor who appeared in such films as “Four Rooms”, “From Dusk ‘til Dawn” and “Marathon Man” was born in 1910.
Loreena McKennitt the Canadian singer who sang the hit song “Mummer’s Dance” was born in 1957.
Mary Ann Mobley actress and former Miss America was born in 1939.
Jerry O’Connell who has appeared in “Stand By Me” and TV’s “Crossing Jordan” was born in 1974.
Lou Diamond Phillips who has starred in “La Bamba” and “Young Guns” was born in 1962.
Gene Pitney the singer of such songs as “Town Without Pity” and writer of the hit song “Hello Mary Lou” was born in 1941.
Dominic Purcell who has starred in “Blade: Trinity” and on TV’s “Prison Break” was born in 1970.
Denise Richards the actress who starred in “Starship Troopers” and was a Bond girl in “The World is Not Enough” was born in 1971.
Jason Ritter who starred on TV’s “Joan of Arcadia” was born in 1980.
Rene Russo the actress who has starred in “Ransom” and “The Thomas Crowne Affair” was born in 1954.
Margaret Truman author and daughter of President Harry S. Truman was born in 1924.
Aaron Montgomery Ward entrepreneur and founder of the department store Montgomery Ward was born in 1844.
Bonnie Wright who is probably best known as Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter movies was born in 1991.
We Said Goodbye To…
Geronimo the legendary leader of the Apaches passed away in 1909 at the age of 79.
Thelonious Monk renowned composer and jazz musician passed away in 1982 at the age of 64.
Lee Strasberg who appeared in “The Godfather II” passed away in 1982 at the age of 81.
Top Of The Charts On This Day In…
1962 - “Duke of Earl” by Gene Chandler
Memorable Sports Moments In…
1924 - Johnny Weissmuller, who would later gain fame as Tarzan, set a new world’s record in the 100 yard freestyle in swimming.
1968 - The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opened in Springfield, Massachusetts.
In Print In…
1933 - The first issue of “Newsweek” was published.
1933 - In the legendary “Blondie” comic strip, Dagwood Bumstead officially married Blondie Boopadoop!
1939 - “The Phantom” was first published today!
1958 - The syndicated comic strip “BC” debuted today.
Don’t forget about the Today In History Newsletter!
You Should Also Read:
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Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire Review
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