October 17: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign

About October 17

October 17 has a habit of marking profound turning points. In 690, Empress Wu Zetian formally established the Zhou Dynasty, cementing her place as the only woman to rule China in her own name as emperor. Nearly a millennium later, in 1604, Johannes Kepler observed a spectacular supernova in the constellation Ophiuchus—a stellar explosion so bright it was visible in daylight and would become the last of its kind witnessed in our galaxy.

The date also became a hinge in American history. In 1777, British General John Burgoyne surrendered his army at Saratoga, a stunning defeat that convinced France to throw its support behind the colonial cause. Exactly four years later, in 1781, General Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown effectively sealed American independence. Meanwhile, in 1933, as Einstein arrived in America to escape the rising Nazi threat, a different kind of American legend was taking shape when Al Capone was convicted of income tax evasion.

Cultural milestones abound as well. A teenage Mozart unveiled his opera Ascanio in Alba in Milan in 1771, and in 1979 Mother Teresa accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. The arts were further enriched by the births of playwright Arthur Miller in 1915 and rapper Eminem in 1972—two voices from different centuries who each captured the struggles and spirit of their times.

Holidays & Observances on October 17

• International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
• Loyalty Day (Argentina)
• National Police Day (Thailand)
• National Heroes Day (Somaliland)

Fun & National Days on October 17

• Black Poetry Day — Celebrate by reading verse from Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, or a poet whose voice is new to you.
• I Love Yarn Day — Grab your knitting needles or crochet hook and stitch something cozy in honor of the humble, versatile skein.
• International Repair Day — Fix that broken lamp or torn jacket instead of tossing it—your wallet and the planet will both say thanks.
• Forgive an Ex Day — Send a mental note of peace to a former flame and let go of any lingering grudges weighing you down.
• Bridge Day
• Edge Day
• Four Prunes Day
• International Independent Video Store Day
• International Raw Milk Cheese Appreciation Day