Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
October 17 Saturday, October 17, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 17 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
4
Holidays
1660
Royalty 366 years ago
The nine regicides who signed the death warrant of Charles I of England are hanged, drawn and quartered.
Nine regicides who signed the death warrant of Charles I are hanged, drawn, and quartered for high treason.
History
What happened on October 17
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 690World history
Empress Wu Zetian establishes the Zhou Dynasty of China.
Wu Zetian proclaims herself emperor and founds the Zhou Dynasty, marking her as the only female monarch in Chinese history to rule in her own right.
- 1091Disaster
London tornado of 1091: A tornado thought to be of strength T8/F4 strikes the heart of London.
A powerful tornado strikes central London, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
- 1346UK history
The English capture King David II of Scotland at Neville's Cross and imprison him for eleven years.
King David II of Scotland is captured by the English at Neville's Cross and imprisoned for eleven years.
- 1448War
An Ottoman army defeats a Hungarian army at the Second Battle of Kosovo.
The Ottoman army defeats the Hungarian forces in the Second Battle of Kosovo.
- 1456European history
The University of Greifswald is established as the second oldest university in northern Europe.
The University of Greifswald is founded in the Duchy of Pomerania, becoming the second oldest university in continuous operation in northern Europe.
- 1534Religion
Anti-Catholic posters appear in Paris and other cities supporting Huldrych Zwingli's position on the Mass.
Anti-Catholic posters circulate in Paris and other cities, backing Zwingli’s stance that the Mass is not a sacrifice but a memorial.
- 1558US history
Poczta Polska, the Polish postal service, is founded.
Poczta Polska is established as Poland's national postal service.
- 1604Science
Kepler's Supernova is observed in the constellation of Ophiuchus.
Johannes Kepler observes a supernova in the constellation Ophiuchus, visible for nearly two years.
- 1660Royalty
The nine regicides who signed the death warrant of Charles I of England are hanged, drawn and quartered.
Nine regicides who signed the death warrant of Charles I are hanged, drawn, and quartered for high treason.
- 1713War
Great Northern War: Russia defeats Sweden in the Battle of Kostianvirta in Pälkäne.
Russian forces defeat Swedish troops at the Battle of Kostianvirta in Pälkäne.
- 1777War
American Revolutionary War: British General John Burgoyne surrenders his army at Saratoga, New York.
British General John Burgoyne surrenders his army to American forces at Saratoga, New York, marking a decisive turning point in the Revolutionary War.
- 1806World history
Former leader of the Haitian Revolution, Emperor Jacques I, is assassinated after an oppressive rule.
Jacques I, former leader of the Haitian Revolution and emperor, is assassinated following a reign marked by oppression.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 17
7 this date All birthdays
Shinichi Suzuki
Japanese violinist and educator
Shinichi Suzuki, Japanese violinist and founder of the Suzuki method of music education, was born today in 1898.
Born
1898
Died
1998
Jesús Reyes Ferreira
Mexican artist and art collector
1880 – 1977
Alexander Neill
Scottish educator
1883 – 1973
Johnny Haynes
English-Scottish footballer
1934 – 2005
Mark Peel
Australian historian and academic
b. 1959 · 67
Alejandra Ávalos
Mexican artist
b. 1968 · 58
Sam Concepcion
Filipino musician and dancer
b. 1992 · 34
Music
The number one songs on October 17
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 17, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport October 17, 1860
First The Open Championship (referred to in North America as the British Open).
The Open Championship, golf's oldest major tournament, is held for the first time at Prestwick Golf Club.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 17, 1995
Java 1.0 is unveiled
Sun Microsystems releases a programming language that will become the backbone of enterprise computing and Android.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
International
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is an international observance celebrated each year on October 17 throughout the world
Loyalty Day (Argentina)
International
Loyalty Day is a commemoration day in Argentina
National Police Day (Thailand)
International
Public holidays in Thailand are regulated by the government, and most are observed by both the public and private sectors
National Heroes Day (Somaliland)
International
The Somaliland War of Independence also known as the Great Isaaq Uprising or the Isaaq Rebellion was a rebellion waged by the Somali National Movement (SNM) against the ruling military junta in Somali
❝
Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill.
— Shinichi Suzuki · born October 17, 1898