Events on 17 January 51
See all →Year 395
Upon the death of Emperor Theodosius I, the Roman Empire is permanently divided into the Eastern Roman Empire under Arcadius, and the Western Roman Empire under Honorius.
Year 1524
Giovanni da Verrazzano sets sail westward from Madeira to find a sea route to the Pacific Ocean.
Year 1608
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.
Year 1648
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.
Year 1773
Captain James Cook commands the first expedition to sail south of the Antarctic Circle.
Year 1781
American Revolutionary War: Battle of Cowpens: Continental troops under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan defeat British forces under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton at the battle in South Carolina.
Public Holidays Around The World On This Day 1
Birthdays on 17 January 217
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Deaths on 17 January 111
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