Osun Defender History Corner: November 17th In Focus

Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.

November 17th, 1558

Elizabeth I ascended to the English throne.

November 17th, 1800

The United States Congress held its first session in Washington, D.C.

November 17th, 1863

The Mississippi River was opened for shipping following Union forces’ capture of Vicksburg during the American Civil War.

November 17th, 1869

The Suez Canal opened in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.

November 17th, 1911

The Omega Psi Phi fraternity, one of the oldest African American Greek-lettered organizations, was founded at Howard University.

November 17th, 1962

President John F. Kennedy dedicated Washington Dulles International Airport.

November 17th, 1968

The Heidi Game occurred during a televised NFL matchup between the Oakland Raiders and the New York Jets.

November 17th, 1970

Douglas Engelbart received a patent for the first computer mouse

November 17th, 1970

The Soviet Union landed the Lunokhod 1 rover on the Moon, making it the first remote-controlled robot to explore another celestial body.

November 17th, 1973

President Richard Nixon told an Associated Press managing editors meeting in Orlando, Florida, “I am not a crook.”

November 17th, 1978

The Star Wars Holiday Special, the first Star Wars spin-off, aired on television.

November 17th, 1989

Riot police in Czechoslovakia suppressed a student demonstration, an event that contributed to the Velvet Revolution.

November 17th, 2003

Arnold Schwarzenegger was sworn in as the 38th Governor of California.

November 17th, 2006

Nintendo released the Wii gaming console.

November 17th, 2008

NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavour launched, carrying the module Harmony to the International Space Station.

November 17th, 2013

 Uruguay became the first country to legalize the production, sale, and consumption of marijuana.

November 17th, 2015

UNESCO designated 18th-century French cuisine as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

November 17th, 2016

 NASA’s Cassini spacecraft completed its final flyby of Saturn’s moon Titan, ending its mission to explore the Saturn system.

November 17th, 2019

Hong Kong police stormed the Polytechnic University campus, ending a 12-day siege by protesters.

Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on November 17th. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.