On This Day in History – October 17

Major Events

• 1091 – Norman forces conquered Palermo, ending Muslim rule in Sicily.
• 1777 – British General Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga, a turning point in the American Revolution.
• 1814 – The London Beer Flood occurred when a brewery vat burst, flooding streets with beer.
• 1907 – Marconi’s company began the first commercial transatlantic wireless service.
• 1933 – Albert Einstein arrived in the U.S. as a refugee from Nazi Germany.
• 1979 – Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
• 1989 – A massive earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area, killing 63 and injuring thousands.

Famous Birthdays

• Arthur Miller (1915–2005) – American playwright.
• Rita Hayworth (1918–1987) – American actress and dancer.
• Montgomery Clift (1920–1966) – American actor.
• Jimmy Breslin (1928–2017) – American journalist.
• Ziggy Marley (born 1968) – Jamaican musician.
• Eminem (born 1972) – American rapper and songwriter.

Notable Deaths

• Frederick III (1831–1888) – German Emperor.
• Jean Giraudoux (1882–1944) – French dramatist.
• Levi Stubbs (1936–2008) – American singer, The Four Tops.

Holidays

• International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (United Nations)
• National Pasta Day (United States)

Fun Facts

• The London Beer Flood killed eight people when beer vats burst in 1814.
• Albert Einstein emigrated to the U.S. on this day in 1933.
• Eminem and Ziggy Marley share this birthday.