This Day in History: What Happened Today in History – 17 November

Nov 17, 2025, 00:02 IST

November 17 has seen royal shifts, battles, and cultural milestones. On this day in 1558, Elizabeth I ascended the English throne, marking the start of the Elizabethan era. In 1855, David Livingstone became the first European to see Victoria Falls. John Balliol was declared King of Scotland in 1292. The Battle of Mizushima occurred in 1183, where Japan’s Taira clan defeated the Minamoto. Also, 680 Jews were arrested in England for counterfeiting coins in 1278, with 293 executed.

Every day has a story, a thread in the tapestry of time that links past and present. Have you ever wondered what happened on this exact date in history? On November 17, many remarkable events unfolded across centuries and continents. From landmark political milestones to courageous student uprisings, this date has seen moments that shaped nations and minds. On November 17, 1777, the Articles of Confederation were submitted to the states by the Continental Congress. In 1939, Nazi forces executed nine Czech students and shut down universities in Prague, marking the origins of International Students' Day.

And in 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger was inaugurated as Governor of California. In this article, we'll look at the most significant events of November 17, explore their impact, and reflect on how past actions still resonate today.

What Happened On This Day—November 17?

Here's what happened in history on November 17:

1558 – Elizabethan Age Begins

On November 17, 1558, Queen Mary I died, and her half-sister, Elizabeth I, became Queen of England.
Her reign marked the start of the Elizabethan Age, a period known for peace, exploration, and cultural growth.
England shifted again toward Protestantism under her rule.
The era became famous for theatre, literature, and strong political leadership.

1777 – Articles of Confederation Submitted to the States

On November 17, 1777, Congress submitted the Articles of Confederation to the states for ratification.
The Articles had been signed two days earlier, after 16 months of debate.
Disputes over land claims, mainly between Virginia and Maryland, slowed the final approval.
Maryland was the last state to ratify them, almost four years later.

1839 – Verdi's First Opera Opens

On November 17, 1839, Giuseppe Verdi's opera Oberto premiered at La Scala in Milan.
The debut was well-received by the audience.
Verdi was immediately commissioned to write three more operas.
This marked the beginning of his long and influential career in classical music.

1863 – Siege of Knoxville, Tennessee, Begins

On November 17, 1863, Confederate General James Longstreet placed Knoxville under siege.
He attempted to capture the city from the Union forces.
After two weeks and one failed attack, he abandoned the effort.
Longstreet later rejoined General Robert E. Lee's army.

1869 – Suez Canal Opens

On November 17, 1869, the Suez Canal officially opened.
It connected the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.
French Empress Eugénie attended the grand ceremony.
The canal became one of the world's most important trade routes.

1958 – Kingston Trio Hits #1

On November 17, 1958, The Kingston Trio's song "Tom Dooley" reached #1 on the U.S. pop chart.
The hit helped popularise American folk music.
It influenced the protest-folk movement of the 1960s.
The band became known for its clean harmonies and storytelling style.

1965 – 1st Cavalry Ambushed in Ia Drang Valley

On November 17, 1965, a 1st Cavalry battalion was ambushed by North Vietnamese forces.
The attack was part of the larger Battle of Ia Drang.
It became one of the most studied battles of the Vietnam War.
The incident showed the intensity of combat in the region.

1968 – Viewers Outraged Over the "Heidi Game"

On November 17, 1968, NBC cut away from the Jets vs. Raiders game to air the movie Heidi.
Fans missed two late touchdowns that changed the game.
The Raiders won, but viewers only found out after the broadcast.
The event changed network rules for live sports.

1969 – SALT I Negotiations Begin

On November 17, 1969, U.S. and Soviet negotiators began the SALT I talks in Helsinki.
The discussions aimed to slow the nuclear arms race.
Gerard Smith led the U.S. delegation.
The talks became a significant milestone in Cold War diplomacy.

1970 – My Lai Trial Begins

On November 17, 1970, the court-martial of Lt. William Calley began.
He was charged with his role in the My Lai massacre.
The trial drew national and international attention.
It became a symbol of the horrors of the Vietnam War.

1972 – Heiress Barbara Baekeland Murdered

On November 17, 1972, wealthy socialite Barbara Baekeland was stabbed to death by her son, Antony.
The murder happened in their London penthouse.
A witness later found Antony calmly ordering Chinese food.
The case gained attention due to the family's history and wealth.

1973 – Nixon Says He Is "Not a Crook"

On November 17, 1973, President Richard Nixon defended himself during the Watergate scandal.
He told reporters, "I am not a crook."
His statement became one of the most quoted lines in political history.
Public trust continued to decline despite the remark.

1980 – Serial Killer Couple Captured

On November 17, 1980, Charlene Williams and Gerald Gallego were arrested.
They had kidnapped and murdered at least 10 young people.
Their crimes spanned several states over two years.
The couple became known for their extreme cruelty.

1981 – Reagan Authorises CIA to Support Contras

On November 17, 1981, President Ronald Reagan signed a secret directive.
It allowed the CIA to train and support Nicaraguan rebels known as the Contras.
A $19 million budget was approved.
This deepened U.S. involvement in the conflict.

1989 – Velvet Revolution Begins in Czechoslovakia

On November 17, 1989, students in Prague launched mass protests against communist rule.
The demonstration quickly grew into a nationwide movement.
It led to the peaceful fall of the Czechoslovak government.
The event became known as the Velvet Revolution.

1991 – First Condom Ad Airs on TV

On November 17, 1991, Fox aired the first condom commercial on U.S. network television.
It appeared during the sitcom Herman's Head.
Growing concern about AIDS pushed networks to allow such ads.
The moment marked a shift in public health awareness.

2003 – Washington, D.C. Sniper John Muhammad Convicted

On November 17, 2003, John Muhammad was found guilty of one of the D.C. sniper killings.
The attacks had terrified the Washington area in 2002.
Ten people were killed, and three were injured.
The trial drew national attention due to the scale of the crimes.

2003 – Arnold Schwarzenegger Sworn In as Governor

On November 17, 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger became the 38th governor of California.
He won the position after a special recall election.
His move from Hollywood to politics captured global interest.
The inauguration marked a new chapter in California leadership.

Which Famous Personalities Were Born and Died on November 17?

November 17 marks notable birthdays and deaths of influential figures throughout history, celebrating legacies in the arts, science, and sports.

Born on November 17

Jeff Buckley (1966–1997)

American folk-rock singer.
Known for the 1994 album Grace.
His cover of "Hallelujah" became world-famous.

RuPaul (1960– )

Emmy-winning drag icon, actor and singer.
Host of RuPaul's Drag Race.
A significant figure in modern pop culture.

Martin Scorsese (1942– )

Oscar-winning American filmmaker.
Known for Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and Goodfellas.
One of the most influential directors in cinema.

Notable Deaths on November 17

1558 – Death of Queen Mary I of England

On November 17, 1558, Queen Mary I of England died.
Her death ended her five-year reign and allowed her half-sister Elizabeth I to take the throne.
Mary had attempted to restore Catholicism in England during her reign.
Her passing paved the way for the Elizabethan Age.

1917 – Death of Auguste Rodin

On November 17, 1917, French sculptor Auguste Rodin died at age 77.
Rodin was famous for works like The Thinker and The Kiss.
He helped transform the field of modern sculpture.
His legacy influenced generations of artists.

2006 – Death of Ferenc Puskás

On November 17, 2006, Hungarian footballer and manager Ferenc Puskás died.
He was one of the greatest footballers of his era.
Puskás's career spanned the Hungarian "Golden Team" and Real Madrid.
His death marked the passing of a football legend.

Kriti Barua

Executive Content Writer

Kriti Barua is a professional content writer who has four years of experience in creating engaging and informative articles for various industries. She started her career as a creative writer intern at Wordloom Ventures and quickly developed a passion for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers.

Currently working as a content writer for the GK section of Jagran New Media, she continues to hone her skills in writing and strives to deliver high-quality content that educates and entertains readers.

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