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
April 17 Friday, April 17, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 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
6
Holidays
War 243 years ago
American Revolutionary War: Colbert's Raid: A Spanish garrison under Captain Jacobo du Breuil defeat British irregulars at Arkansas Post.
A Spanish garrison led by Captain Jacobo du Breuil defeats British irregulars at Arkansas Post during the American Revolutionary War.
History
What happened on April 17
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1080Royalty
Harald III of Denmark dies and is succeeded by Canute IV, who would later be the first Dane to be canonized.
Harald III's death leads to Canute IV becoming king, the first Danish monarch to be later declared a saint.
- 1349World history
The rule of the Bavand dynasty in Mazandaran is brought to an end by the murder of Hasan II.
Hasan II, the last ruler of the Bavand dynasty in Mazandaran, is murdered, ending the dynasty's rule.
- 1362European history
Kaunas Castle falls to the Teutonic Order after a month-long siege.
Kaunas Castle falls to the Teutonic Order following a month-long siege.
- 1492World history
Spain and Christopher Columbus sign the Capitulations of Santa Fe for his voyage to Asia to acquire spices.
Christopher Columbus secures funding from Spain with the Capitulations of Santa Fe, agreeing to explore Asia in search of spices.
- 1521Religion
Trial of Martin Luther over his teachings begins during the assembly of the Diet of Worms. Initially intimidated, he asks for time to reflect before answering and is given a stay of one day.
Martin Luther begins his trial at the Diet of Worms, initially asking for a day to reflect on his response.
- 1524US history
Giovanni da Verrazzano reaches New York harbor.
Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano becomes the first European to enter New York Harbor, sailing under the French flag in search of a western route to Asia.
- 1783War
American Revolutionary War: Colbert's Raid: A Spanish garrison under Captain Jacobo du Breuil defeat British irregulars at Arkansas Post.
A Spanish garrison led by Captain Jacobo du Breuil defeats British irregulars at Arkansas Post during the American Revolutionary War.
- 1797War
Citizens of Verona begin an unsuccessful eight-day rebellion against the French occupying forces.
Verona's citizens launch an eight-day revolt against French occupation, though it ultimately fails.
- 1861US history
The state of Virginia's secession convention votes to secede from the United States; Virginia later becomes the eighth state to join the Confederate States of America.
Virginia's secession convention votes to leave the Union, later joining the Confederacy as its eighth member.
- 1895World history
The Treaty of Shimonoseki between China and Japan is signed. This marks the end of the First Sino-Japanese War, and the defeated Qing Empire is forced to renounce its claims on Korea and to concede the southern portion of the Fengtian province, Taiwan and the Penghu to Japan.
China and Japan sign the Treaty of Shimonoseki, ending the First Sino-Japanese War and ceding Taiwan, the Penghu Islands, and parts of Manchuria to Japan.
- 1998Technology
Space Shuttle Columbia is launched on STS-90, the final Spacelab mission.
The Space Shuttle Columbia launches on STS-90, the final mission for NASA's Spacelab laboratory module.
- 2014Science
NASA's Kepler space telescope confirms the discovery of the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of another star.
NASA's Kepler space telescope confirms the discovery of an Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone of a distant star.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 17
7 this date All birthdays
Zdeňka Wiedermannová-Motyčková
Moravian educator
Zdeňka Wiedermannová-Motyčková, the Moravian teacher, journal editor, and women's rights activist who came from a family of progressive educators, was born today in 1868.
Born
1868
Died
1915
Andrea Gritti
Doge of Venice
1455 – 1538
Cap Anson
American baseball player and manager
1852 – 1922
Chris Barber
English trombonist and bandleader
1930 – 2021
Ronald H. Miller
American theologian, author, and academic
1938 – 2011
Joe Alaskey
American voice actor
1952 – 2016
Claire Sweeney
English actress
b. 1971 · 55
Music
The number one songs on April 17
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Texas Hold 'Em"— Beyoncé
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)"— Lil Nas X
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport April 17, 1964
Jerrie Mock completes the first around-the-world airplane flight by a woman. Her solo flight in the Spirit of Columbus, which took 29+1⁄2 days, took off and landed at the Port Columbus International Airport in Ohio.
Jerrie Mock lands back in Ohio after becoming the first woman to fly around the world solo.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 17, 2014
NASA's Kepler space telescope confirms the discovery of the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of another star.
NASA's Kepler space telescope confirms the discovery of an Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone of a distant star.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Evacuation Day (Syria), celebrates the recognition of the independence of Syria from France in 1946.
International
Independence Day is Syria's National Day commemorating the evacuation of the last French soldier at the end of the French mandate of Syria on 17 April 1946 after Syria's proclamation of full independe
FAO Day (Iraq)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Iraq
Flag Day (American Samoa)
International
The flag of American Samoa consists of a red-edged white triangle pointing towards the hoist charged with a bald eagle clutching a war club and fly-whisk, with dark blue upper and lower triangles
Malbec World Day
International
Malbec World Day is an annual observance celebrated on April 17, to commemorate the day on which President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento of Argentina officially made it his mission to transform Argentina
Women's Day (Gabon)
International
World Hemophilia Day
International
The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders