October 17: Fun Facts about Today in History

On October 17, learn about the most interesting historical events and facts that occurred throughout history. The 290th day of the Gregorian calendar is October 17th. On this day, Canada legalised recreational marijuana use, Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize, and OPEC imposed an oil embargo on countries that supported Israel during the Yom Kippur War.

The date of October 17 falls under the sign of Libra. Playwright Arthur Miller, Ziggy Marley, and Mae Jamison are all born on October 17th. National Pasta Day and National Mulligan Day are also celebrated today.

Event
(October 17, 1907) The first commercial transatlantic wireless service is established by Marconi. photo source: wikimedia.org
(October 17, 1969) The Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence by Caravaggio has been stolen from Palermo's Oratory of Saint Lawrence. photo source: wikimedia.org
(October 17, 1979) Mother Teresa, the founder of a Roman Catholic order of women committed to the underprivileged, notably the destitute of India, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on this day in 1979. photo source: wikimedia.org
(Died on October 17, 2017) Gord Downie, Canadian musician (b. 1964).
(October 17, 2018) In Canada, recreational cannabis became legal.