January 17
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Anthony the Great, BlessedAngelo Paoli, BlessedGamelbert of Michaelsbuch, Charles Gore(Church of England), Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo(one ofSaints of the Cristero War), Mildgyth, Our Lady of Pontmain, Sulpitius the Pious, January 17 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A collective feast day honoring multiple Christian saints observed on January 17 across various Christian traditions.
National Day(Menorca,Spain)
National Day of Menorca, celebrating the island’s heritage and cultural identity each January 17.
The opening ceremony ofPatras Carnival, celebrated untilClean Monday. (Patras,Greece)
Marks the vibrant opening of the Patras Carnival in Greece, a major cultural event leading up to Clean Monday.
Anthony the Great
Commemorates Saint Anthony the Great, often called the father of Christian monasticism.
BlessedAngelo Paoli
Honors Blessed Angelo Paoli, an Italian priest renowned for his devotion to the poor.
BlessedGamelbert of Michaelsbuch
Honors Blessed Gamelbert of Michaelsbuch, an 8th-century Bavarian bishop and hermit.
Charles Gore(Church of England)
Remembers Charles Gore, an influential Church of England bishop and theologian.
Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo(one ofSaints of the Cristero War)
Honors Saint Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo, a priest martyred during Mexico’s Cristero War.
Mildgyth
Commemorates Saint Mildgyth, a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon abbess.
Events
Octavian divorces his wife Scribonia and marries Livia Drusilla, ending the fragile peace between the Second Triumvirate and Sextus Pompey.
Octavian divorces Scribonia and marries Livia Drusilla, reshaping the power dynamics of Rome.
Saint Marcellus' flood kills at least 25,000 people on the shores of the North Sea.
A catastrophic North Sea storm surge known as Saint Marcellus’ flood devastates coastal regions, killing over 25,000 people.
Pope Gregory XI reaches Rome, after deciding to move the Papacy back to Rome from Avignon.
Pope Gregory XI returns the Papacy from Avignon to Rome, ending the Avignon Papacy.
Giovanni da Verrazzano sets sail westward from Madeira to find a sea route to the Pacific Ocean.
Explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano sets sail from Madeira in search of a western passage to the Pacific Ocean.
France grants religious toleration to the Huguenots in the Edict of Saint-Germain.
France issues the Edict of Saint-Germain, granting limited religious toleration to the Huguenots.
During the French Wars of Religion, Henry IV of France declares war on Spain.
Henry IV of France formally declares war on Spain, escalating the French Wars of Religion.
Emperor Susenyos I of Ethiopia surprises an Oromo army at Ebenat; his army reportedly kills 12,000 Oromo at the cost of 400 of his men.
Ethiopian Emperor Susenyos I ambushes an Oromo army at Ebenat, inflicting heavy casualties.
Reapers' War: The Junta de Braços (parliamentary assembly) of the Principality of Catalonia accepts the proposal of establishment of the Catalan Republic under French protection.
Catalan deputies proclaim the Catalan Republic under French protection during the Reapers’ War.
England's Long Parliament passes the "Vote of No Addresses", breaking off negotiations with King Charles I and thereby setting the scene for the second phase of the English Civil War.
England’s Long Parliament breaks off negotiations with King Charles I by passing the Vote of No Addresses.
Births
Philip II
Philip II, Duke of Burgundy (1342–1404), was a powerful medieval ruler of the Burgundian State known for his administrative skill and cultural patronage.
Antonio del Pollaiuolo
Antonio del Pollaiuolo (1429–1498) was an Italian Renaissance artist celebrated for his dynamic sculptures and innovative engravings.
Frederick III
Frederick III (1463–1525), Elector of Saxony, was a pivotal German prince who protected Martin Luther and helped shape the Protestant Reformation.
Antoine Duprat
Antoine Duprat (1463–1535) was a French cardinal and chancellor who negotiated key concordats and shaped French church-state relations under Francis I.
Guidobaldo da Montefeltro
Guidobaldo da Montefeltro (1472–1508) was an Italian condottiero and Duke of Urbino known for his military leadership and patronage of Renaissance art.
George Spalatin
George Spalatin (1484–1545) was a German theologian and close collaborator of Martin Luther, instrumental in spreading Reformation ideas.
Leonhart Fuchs
Leonhart Fuchs (1501–1566) was a German physician and botanist whose landmark herbal book advanced the study of plants and medicine.
Pope Pius V (1504–1572) was a reform-minded pontiff who implemented the Council of Trent's decrees and led the Holy League to victory at the Battle of Lepanto.
Henry Grey
Henry Grey (1517–1554), 1st Duke of Suffolk, was an English noble known as the father of Lady Jane Grey and a key figure in Tudor succession conflicts.
Deaths
Theodosius I
Roman Emperor from 379 to 395 AD, the last ruler to govern both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires, known for making Nicene Christianity the empire's official faith.
Sulpitius the Pious
French Bishop of Bourges in the 7th century, renowned for his devout faith, charitable works, and reputed miracles.
Joseph of Freising
8th-century German bishop credited with founding the diocese of Freising and advancing ecclesiastical learning.
Mas'ud I of Ghazni
Sultan of the Ghaznavid Empire from 1030 to 1040, known for military campaigns into the Indian subcontinent and cultural patronage.
André de Montbard
Fifth Grand Master of the Knights Templar, overseeing the order's expansion and organization in the 12th century.
Thierry
Count of Flanders from 1128 to 1168, recognized for his diplomatic acumen and participation in the Second Crusade.
Albert of Riga
German bishop and crusader who founded the city of Riga and led the Northern Crusades.
Roseline of Villeneuve
13th-century Carthusian nun celebrated for her devout life, miraculous healings, and role as prioress.
John of Brittany
Earl of Richmond and nephew of King Henry III, known for his loyalty to the English crown and military leadership.