690day.year
Empress Wu Zetian establishes the Zhou Dynasty of China.
Empress Wu Zetian founds the Zhou Dynasty, becoming the sole female emperor in Chinese history and reshaping the Tang imperial structure.
In 690, Wu Zetian declared herself emperor and replaced the Tang Dynasty with her own Zhou Dynasty. She became the first and only woman to rule China in her own right, consolidating power through the secret police and meritocratic examinations. Her reign saw extensive reforms in land distribution, promotion of Buddhism, and centralization of government. She elevated officials based on ability rather than birth and expanded the imperial examination system. The establishment of the Zhou Dynasty represented a major shift in Chinese politics and culture. Historians debate her legacy as a capable ruler who defied gender norms and reshaped the empire.
690
Wu Zetian
Zhou Dynasty
1610day.year
French king Louis XIII is crowned in Reims Cathedral.
Louis XIII is crowned King of France at Reims Cathedral, ushering in a new chapter for the Bourbon dynasty.
Following the assassination of his father, Henry IV, in 1610, the seven-year-old Louis XIII was formally crowned on October 17 at Reims Cathedral. The regency was guided by his mother, Marie de' Medici, while the young monarch assumed the Bourbon legacy. The coronation ceremony reinforced royal authority and the divine right of kings amidst political factions at the French court. Cardinals and peers of the realm attended, bestowing the traditional symbols of monarchy: the crown, scepter, and sword. Despite his youth, Louis XIII's reign would later see the rise of Cardinal Richelieu and the strengthening of royal absolutism. The event solidified the continuity of Bourbon rule during a critical period of French history.
1610
Louis XIII
1660day.year
The nine regicides who signed the death warrant of Charles I of England are hanged, drawn and quartered.
Nine regicides are executed for their role in King Charles I's execution, symbolizing the Restoration's reclaiming of royal justice.
On October 17, 1660, following the Restoration of the monarchy under Charles II, nine men who had signed the death warrant of Charles I were subjected to hanging, drawing, and quartering at Charing Cross in London. These executions were intended as public retribution and a deterrent to future rebellion against the crown. Crowds gathered to witness the gruesome punishments, seeing it as a restoration of order after the chaos of the Interregnum. The event underscored the restored monarchy's determination to avenge the regicide and reassert royal authority. A tenth signatory, Richard Ingoldsby, had his sentence commuted due to his help in the Restoration. This episode exemplifies the violent pendulum swings of loyalty and punishment during England's tumultuous mid-17th century.
1660
nine regicides
Charles I of England
1662day.year
Charles II of England sells Dunkirk to Louis XIV of France for 40,000 pounds.
In 1662, Charles II of England sold the strategic port of Dunkirk to Louis XIV of France for 40,000 pounds.
In the aftermath of financial struggles, Charles II decided to sell Dunkirk to Louis XIV for much-needed revenue. The transaction transferred control of the strategic North Sea port, which England had captured from Spain. France's acquisition bolstered Louis XIV's naval and political influence in Europe. For England, the sale provided critical funds but sparked debate over relinquishing such a valuable asset. This diplomatic move reflected the complex alliances and economic pressures of 17th-century European politics.
1662
sells Dunkirk
1806day.year
Former leader of the Haitian Revolution, Emperor Jacques I, is assassinated after an oppressive rule.
Former Haitian revolutionary leader Emperor Jacques I was assassinated in 1806 after a period of authoritarian rule.
Jacques I, also known as Jean-Jacques Dessalines, had proclaimed himself Emperor of Haiti following its successful revolution against French colonial rule. His reign was marked by efforts to strengthen the new nation alongside ruthless measures against perceived opponents. Facing widespread discontent over forced labor policies and political repression, he was ambushed and killed by conspirators. His assassination plunged Haiti into political turmoil and civil war between rival factions. The event underscored the challenges of post-revolutionary governance and the fragile nature of authority in the young republic.
1806
Jacques I
1931day.year
Al Capone is convicted of income tax evasion.
Notorious Chicago mob boss Al Capone is convicted of income tax evasion, marking a major victory for U.S. law enforcement.
On October 17, 1931, Alphonse 'Al' Capone was convicted in federal court for evading income taxes on his illicit earnings.
The conviction followed a meticulously built case by Treasury agent Eliot Ness and his 'Untouchables', focusing on Capone's hidden financial records.
Judge James H. Wilkerson sentenced him to 11 years in prison, a hefty fine, and back taxes, striking a blow against organized crime.
Capone began his sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta before being transferred to the high-security Alcatraz.
The strategy of using tax laws to prosecute gangsters became a model for fighting organized crime in the United States.
Capone's downfall demonstrated the government's resolve to curtail the power of criminal syndicates during the Prohibition era.
1931
Al Capone
1933day.year
Albert Einstein flees Nazi Germany and moves to the United States.
Renowned physicist Albert Einstein flees Nazi Germany and takes refuge in the United States.
On October 17, 1933, Albert Einstein departed Germany for the United States, escaping Nazi persecution of Jewish academics.
He had already accepted a position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, solidifying his move away from Berlin.
Einstein's emigration marked a significant intellectual drain for Germany and bolstered America's scientific community.
In the U.S., he continued groundbreaking research in theoretical physics and became an outspoken advocate for peace and civil rights.
His relocation highlighted the broader exodus of scholars fleeing totalitarian regimes in Europe.
Einstein's presence in America played a pivotal role in the country's emergence as a global center of scientific innovation.
1933
Albert Einstein
1940day.year
The body of Communist propagandist Willi Münzenberg is found in South France, starting a never-resolved mystery.
The body of Communist propagandist Willi Münzenberg is found in southern France, sparking an enduring mystery.
On October 17, 1940, the remains of Willi Münzenberg, a prominent German Communist propagandist, were discovered near Saint-Marcellin, France.
Münzenberg had fled Nazi Germany and become known for his innovative use of media and front organizations in anti-fascist campaigns.
His death remains unsolved, with theories ranging from suicide to assassination by the Gestapo or Stalinist agents.
The mysterious circumstances highlight the peril faced by political exiles during World War II.
Münzenberg's contributions to propaganda techniques influenced 20th-century political movements across Europe and beyond.
His legacy endures in studies of media manipulation and the history of international communism.
1940
Willi Münzenberg
1945day.year
A large demonstration in Buenos Aires, Argentina, demands Juan Perón's release.
A mass demonstration erupts in Buenos Aires as Argentines demand the freeing of Juan Perón from military custody.
After being arrested by the military, Colonel Juan Perón faced growing public support among the working class.
On October 17, 1945, thousands of workers and Peronist supporters marched to Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires.
They called for his release and return to government, marking the birth of the Peronist movement.
Facing this pressure, the military government freed Perón the next day and he rose to become President of Argentina.
This event is now commemorated as Loyalty Day in Argentina.
1945
large demonstration
1952day.year
Indonesian Army elements surrounded the Merdeka Palace demanding President Sukarno disband the Provisional People's Representative Council.
Indonesian troops surround Merdeka Palace to pressure President Sukarno into dissolving the provisional legislature.
On October 17, 1952, a faction of the Indonesian Army encircled the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
They demanded President Sukarno disband the Provisional People's Representative Council, accusing it of stalling national progress.
The standoff lasted several hours but ultimately ended without violence after negotiations.
This incident reflected growing tensions between Sukarno’s government and the military over Indonesia’s post-independence direction.
It highlighted the army’s emerging role as a political force in the young republic.
1952
surrounded the Merdeka Palace
Provisional People's Representative Council
1961day.year
The first attempt of the apartheid analogy by Ahmad Shukeiri.
Ahmad Shukeiri first applies the apartheid analogy to describe Israeli policy in a public address.
Ahmad Shukeiri, the first Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, spoke on October 17, 1961.
During his address, he drew the first recorded analogy between the Israeli administration and apartheid in South Africa.
This comparison framed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in terms of racial segregation and systemic discrimination.
Shukeiri’s remarks influenced subsequent Palestinian and international discourse on the nature of Israeli policies.
The apartheid analogy remains a central theme in debates over Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
1961
apartheid analogy
Ahmad Shukeiri
1973day.year
OPEC imposes an oil embargo against countries they deem to have helped Israel in the Yom Kippur War.
In 1973, OPEC announced an oil embargo targeting nations supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War.
On October 17, 1973, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) imposed a sudden oil embargo on nations perceived as supporters of Israel in the ongoing Yom Kippur War. This action was aimed at pressuring Western governments to reconsider their Middle East policies and to weaken Israel’s allies economically. Member countries reduced oil exports by nearly 25% and enacted price hikes, sending shockwaves through global markets. The embargo led to severe fuel shortages, long lines at gas stations, and a sharp rise in energy prices across Europe and North America. It triggered an energy crisis that revealed Western dependence on imported oil and spurred calls for alternative energy development. The event reshaped international relations, influenced foreign policy decisions, and marked a pivotal moment in the history of energy diplomacy.
1973
oil embargo